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From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

An extraordinarily thought-provoking novel is based on a deeply disturbing premise: to end the bloody Heartland War, also know as the Second Civil War and fought over the issue of abortion, a set of constitutional amendments known as The Bill of Life was passed. They protect human life from the time of conception until a child turns thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, children may be “retroactively aborted” if parents choose “unwinding,” a process that draws on modern science to harvest every part of the body for transplant into another human being. In this horrifying future, three teens—two determined to escape their fate, and one who has been raised to welcome it as a way to honor God—find themselves thrown together and on the run. Neal Shusterman paints a portrait of a controlled and controlling society where teens are viewed with suspicion, babies are abandoned on doorsteps (by law those that fine them must raise them as their own), and most adults have accepted the unacceptable. There are voices of protest but there is also a government that is amazingly proficient in its ability to deconstruct human life. Shusterman’s chilling narrative draws deft parallels between his imagined time and our society today, extending the polemics of the abortion debate to a disquieting extreme that compromises both the sanctity of life and the right to control one’s own body; illuminating suburban insulation; and highlighting society’s willingness to turn its back on many teens. (Age 13 and older)

CCBC Choices 2008 © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2008. Used with permission.

From School Library Journal

January 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up- UnDivided (S. & S., 2014), the last book in the "Unwind" dystology, ended on a hopeful note but with plenty of loose ends. This short story collection ties together a few threads, but instead of continuing the plot in a straightforward way, these shorter tales fill in answers about the past as well as the future. One entry focuses on Risa's past in the state home. Another work shows Roland's childhood, where his insecurity and temper began to take root. The most touching is the tale that describes Lev's first time on the Arapache Reservation, when he befriended the Tashi'ne family and Wil particularly, only to have Wil sacrifice himself to save Lev and the reservation's youngsters from parts pirates. Shusterman has skillfully woven these and other stories together to provide a clear picture of the current situation in the Unwind world. While the stories are interesting on their own, this book will mainly appeal to those who have read the previous volumes and can fully appreciate the references, people, and situations mentioned. For fans of the series, this one will be hard to put down. VERDICT A necessity where the "Unwind" dystology is popular, these stories are every bit as engaging and will leave readers satisfied but still hoping for more.-Kelly Jo Lasher, Middle Township High School, Cape May Court House, NJ

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Kirkus

November 15, 2015
The Unwind world is thoroughly explored in this companion piece. If Shusterman's Unwind (2007), UnWholly (2012), UnSouled (2013), and UnDivided (2014) weren't enough for you, you're in luck. This tome holds 10 short stories set within the author's dystopian series, fleshing out the nooks and crannies in exhaustive detail. Shusterman is joined by the likes of Terry Black, Michelle Knowlden, and others as co-authors to pad out his universe, supplying fans with new characters and different perspectives on a future in which troublesome teens are "unwound" by the government and the Heartland War has ravaged America. While this may be thrilling to fans, newcomers may not be so engaged. The stories are all written with an urgent pace and bittersweet tone, which makes them run together a bit by the end. Luckily readers can pick and choose and read at their leisure, as the stories are barely interconnected. The company's writing is up to snuff, but the major events described occur off-page, in the main series, making this little more than a glimpse for the uninitiated. The book avoids the trap most companion pieces fall into: this isn't strictly a "for fans only" affair, working as an introduction to the Unwind world, but only barely. It serves much better as a piece read after the major series has been devoured. A competently produced set of stories that will send fans over the moon and swiftly intrigue newcomers. (Dystopia. 12-16)

COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From Horn Book

July 1, 2008
A near-future America allows for unwanted teenagers to be "unwound," or retroactively aborted, their body parts used for transplants. Three teens escape this fate and search for a safe haven. Shusterman balances three separate and compelling journeys of self-discovery for his characters. The substantial array of issues is precisely, provocatively conveyed, offering plenty for readers to contemplate in this character-driven thriller.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From Horn Book

March 1, 2008
A near-future America allows for unwanted teenagers to be "unwound," or retroactively aborted, their body parts used for transplants, as part of the compromise that ended the Second Civil War (between Pro-life and Pro-choice armies). Life is sacred from the moment of conception until age thirteen, at which time one's legal guardian holds the ultimate power. Three teens marked for unwinding narrowly escape this fate and search for a safe haven amid betrayal, political intrigue, and harrowing, nonstop flights and fights. Connor is condemned by his parents for poor anger management and general unruliness. Risa, a ward of the state, is a play-by-the-rules pianist who isn't quite talented enough. And Lev is a tithe, part of a religious family who raised him to be a willing sacrifice to the cause. It is to Shusterman's credit that he manages to create and balance three separate and compelling journeys of self-discovery for his strongly individualized characters: Connor from petty rebel to thoughtful, inspiring leader; Risa from dutiful follower to principled protester; and Lev -- in a chilling secondary plotline -- from blindly contented sheep to suicide bomber targeting an unwinding center. Though the political foundations of this dystopic future are never quite convincing, the substantial array of issues is precisely, provocatively conveyed, offering plenty for readers to contemplate in this nail-biting, character-driven thriller.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From School Library Journal

Starred review from January 1, 2008
Gr 9 Up-An unsettling futuristic novel set after the Second Civil War. Connor Lassiter, age 16, runs away from his suburban Ohio home after discovering that his parents have scheduled his "unwinding." His body parts will go to other people who need them. He will be both terminated and "technically" kept alive, only in a separated state. The constitutional amendments known as "The Bill of Life" permit parents to choose "retroactive" abortion for children between the ages of 13 and 18. Connor meets another Unwind, Risa, and they kidnap Lev, who is a Tithe (the 10th child born to a single family with the express purpose of being unwound). Their escape and survival stories interweave as they struggle to avoid harvest camps. Luckily, an underground network is helping Unwinds escape to safety. There is evenhanded, thoughtful treatment of many issues, including when life starts and stops, consciousness, religion, free will, law, trust and betrayal, suicide bombers, and hope. Initially, the premise of parents dismantling their children is hard to accept; however, readers are quickly drawn into the story, which is told in a gripping, omniscient voice. Characters live and breathe; they are fully realized and complex, sometimes making wrenchingly difficult decisions. This is a thought-provoking, well-paced read that will appeal widely, especially to readers who enjoy Scott Westerfeld's "Uglies" (2005), "Pretties" (2005), and "Specials" (2006, all S & S)."Amy J. Chow, New York Public Library"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Publisher's Weekly

Starred review from November 26, 2007
Shusterman (Everlost
) explores one of the most divisive of topics—abortion—in this gripping, brilliantly imagined futuristic thriller. After a civil war waged over abortion has almost destroyed America, completely new laws are in effect. Human life can never be “terminated,” but between the ages of 13 and 18, a child can be “unwound” by his parents, an irrevocable decision that leads to every single bit of his body being harvested for medical use. As the novel opens, 16-year-old Connor has secretly discovered his parents’ copy of his unwind order, and decides to “kick-AWOL,” or run away. Connor’s escape inadvertently sweeps up two other Unwinds: a ward of the state who is not quite talented enough to merit her place in a state home any longer, and the 10th son of religious parents, who gave birth to him just to “tithe” him. Beyond his pulse-pounding pace, the cliffhangers and the bombshells, Shusterman has a gift for extrapolating the effects of alien circumstances on ordinary people and everyday behavior. He brings in folklore, medical practices, and slang that reflect the impact of unwinding, creating a dense and believable backdrop. Characters undergo profound changes in a plot that never stops surprising readers. The issues raised could not be more provocative—the sanctity of life, the meaning of being human—while the delivery could hardly be more engrossing or better aimed to teens. Ages 13-up.

From Publisher's Weekly

Starred review from October 29, 2007
Shusterman (Everlost) explores one of the most divisive of topics\x97abortion\x97in this gripping, brilliantly imagined futuristic thriller. After a civil war waged over abortion has almost destroyed America, completely new laws are in effect. Human life can never be \x93terminated,\x94 but between the ages of 13 and 18, a child can be \x93unwound\x94 by his parents, an irrevocable decision that leads to every single bit of his body being harvested for medical use. As the novel opens, 16-year-old Connor has secretly discovered his parents\x92 copy of his unwind order, and decides to \x93kick-AWOL,\x94 or run away. Connor\x92s escape inadvertently sweeps up two other Unwinds: a ward of the state who is not quite talented enough to merit her place in a state home any longer, and the 10th son of religious parents, who gave birth to him just to \x93tithe\x94 him. Beyond his pulse-pounding pace, the cliffhangers and the bombshells, Shusterman has a gift for extrapolating the effects of alien circumstances on ordinary people and everyday behavior. He brings in folklore, medical practices, and slang that reflect the impact of unwinding, creating a dense and believable backdrop. Characters undergo profound changes in a plot that never stops surprising readers. The issues raised could not be more provocative\x97the sanctity of life, the meaning of being human\x97while the delivery could hardly be more engrossing or better aimed to teens. Ages 13-up.

From Booklist

October 15, 2007
Following in the footsteps of Jonathan Swift, Shusterman uncorks a Modest Proposal of his own to solve a Pro-Life/Pro-Choice dilemma. Set in a future in which abortions are outlawed but parents have the option of signing over their 13- to 17-year-olds to be used as organ donors, the tale focuses on 16-year-old Connor, who falls in with other prospective Unwinds and finds a temporary refuge (thanks to a clandestine organization with its own peculiar agenda) before being captured and sent to Happy Jack Harvest Camp. Though laced with intrigue, betrayals, and narrow squeaks, the story is propelled less by the plot (which is largely a series of long set pieces) than by an ingeniously developed cast and premise. But even readers who gravitate more to plot-driven fiction will find this present-tense page-turner thrilling, though its guaranteed to leave some feeling decidedly queasydespite the (improbable) happy ending.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)