BOOK REVIEW: Rough Draft

1. Find out about the author. How did they end up writing this particular book? How is the author's life reflected in the book?

2. What was the author's purpose(s) in writing this book, and how can you tell? How well was this purpose achieved?

3. How would you describe the author's style of writing? What's your opinion of the style?

• You must include a passage or two from the text if you choose this question.

“Neal Shusterman’s novel “Unwind” explores the aftermath of just such a division. In an undated future, far enough away for iPods to be sold at antique stores, the Heartland War has devastated the United States. To negotiate a peace between the Life Army and the Choice Brigade, the federal government has outlawed abortion but instituted the practice of “unwinding,” or retroactive pregnancy termination. Before the age of 18, any teenager, at the discretion of a parent or guardian, can be killed and disassembled, with his or her organs going to the sick and injured.”

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away. In Unwind, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life -- not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive.

"...One thing you learn when you've lived as long as I have-people aren't all good, and people aren't all bad. We move in and out of darkness and light all of our lives. Right now, I'm pleased to be in the light."

This quote is also a reason to why Neal Shusterman writes the novel Unwind. In opinion, Neal's relationship with this quote seems to reflect more on Neal's understanding and view upon what is known as the present is a shadow/light covered moment.

Also another reason why Neal wrote this novel is in his brief and quick interview about the book. This interview can be located in the first link below.

Sources:

http://www.storyman.com/books/unwind.html

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/19564.Neal_Shusterman