Unwind, By Neal Shusterman

Title: Unwind
Author: Neal Shusterman
Publish Date: June 2, 2009
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pages: 352
ISBN: 1416912053

Price: Paperback $8.99
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult

Annotation: After the "Heartland" civil wars wear the central bloodshed was over the right to choose, the government tries to appease both sides by banning abortion. The catch lies between the ages of 13 and 18 when a window of options is given to parents and/or guardian to decide: should this child can be unwound?

Summary: Meet Connor. He is about to be unwound. Meet Risa. She is about to be unwound. And meet Lev. He too, is about to be unwound. Thrown together at the near end of their lives, these three unlikely friends become quick allies as they face the ultimate fate for three very different reasons. They have to do whatever it takes to stay in one piece. The alternative would, as the law states, keep them "alive" but in many different pieces. And their body parts would go to other people who are I need of a body part, eye, teeth, or even a frontal lobe. All they have to do is make it to 18...

Evaluation: In both a philosophical and religious debate that echoes today's struggle with the right to choose. This action packed story is amazing! It's a page turner while also broaching sensitive issues such as teen pregnancy, abortion, abandonment, love, and freedom. The endearing quality in this story is its believable nature and engrossing story. I loved it!

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Topics on abortion, orphans, relationships, parental abandonment, anger management, self-worth

Reason this book was chosen: One of the few books I could find that dealt with the political nature of abortion. A unique story in itself. Bound to bring up some INTERESTING conversation..

cool fan made book trailer:

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, by Chris Crutcher

Title: Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
Author: Chris Crutcher
Publish Date: March 18, 2003
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Pages: 304

Price: Paperback $8.99
ISBN: 0060094893
Classification: Young Adult
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult

Annotation: A disfigured girl and an overweight boy bear the intense and emotional scars of years bullying together. They share a biting view of the world around them until senior year surprisingly sends them into different courses.

Summary: Eric a.k.a. "Moby" and Sarah are comrades that share a common problem. Both are misfits. Eric is obese and Sarah has intense scarring from an accident that happened when she was young. After Moby joins the swimming team, he begins to loose weight his extra weight! But, he fears he might lose Sarah's friendship...
Will Sarah confront her horrific history and the emotions that go along with her abusive father?
And, will the friendship fail or grow in exhilarating and unanticipated ways?

Evaluation: A fictitious story that pulls at your heart for a place in the real world (or even your own world) as something that you can relate to. Both funny and tragic, it illustrates a friendship that will stay with you even after you leave the pages of the book. Chris Crutcher's writing is funny, straightforward and believable.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: A tool that can illustrate love, loyalty and courage during battle with obesity, bullying, disfigurement and an onslaught of other life problems

Reason this book was chosen: Though abusive parents are often dealt with in the pages of YA, not many books deal with obesity. To have Crutcher approach it, makes it a must read!