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:

Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

Title: Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publish Date: September 14, 2008
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 384

Price: Hardcover $17.99
ISBN: 0439023483

Price: Hardcover

Classification: Fiction
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult

Annotation: As punishment for a long past rebellion, the citizens of the 12 districts are randomly selected to fight to the death on a televised show. In the famished 12th district, Peeta and Katniss are thrown together & chosen to represent their district and fight to be the single person left alive. The only way to win is to stay alive...and only one can win.

Summary: In the not to far off future, in the 12th District, in what was once the country of the United States of America, lives Katniss. Standing in for her younger sister who was chosen by lottery to participate in the "Hunger Games," Katniss is forced to fight to the death with & against Peeta (the male representative also chosen by lottery). In the Arena, they are forced to fight each other as well as Capitol created death traps all while being broadcast to the citizens daily. In the spirit of reality TV the Capitol uses the Hunger Games to teach the citizens a lesson that uprising is not an option and that the people are powerless. Peeta and Katniss create a surprising bond, but are also forced to try and kill each other. There is nothing left to do but fight to try and get out alive.

Evaluation: Suzanne Collins states that she got her idea while watching TV one night, and there being nothing to watch but reality TV and the iraq war. The apparent mix between Gladiator style fighting and todays culture of reality TV and entertainment style news coverings of Iraq turn this book not only into one of the funnest pieces of YA written but also into an important commentary on our society. It fun, you root for the characters, and feel empathy for society.

A wonderful, though violent tale.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Therapeutic topics include Reality Entertainment, War, Dissent, Love, Survival, Loss

Reason this Book was Chosen: Because this is by far one of the top choices of reads in YA lot today. However, it's use of violence makes it a prime target for disapproval. However, I feel that it's worth supersedes the controversy.

The Red Necklace

Title: The Red Necklace
Author:
Hardcover: 376 pages
Publisher: Speak
Date: May 1, 2008
Language: English
Young Adult
Classification: fiction
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN-10: 0803731000
ISBN-13: 978-0803731004

Reader's Annotation: Paris, 1789. Set against the backdrop of the French revolution this murder mystery centers around Sido, a noble girl and Yann, a Gypsy boy with mysterious and magical powers must outplay the villians before it is too late!

Summary: Yann is a Gypsy boy with special magical gifts, Sido is a girl who has a cold father how barely cares for her. Together they meet briefly and form an intense connection that will affect them both. Set against the French Revolution, Sido must face being used by a so-called devil Count and Yann has to face being cast out as a Gypsy. For a country that desperately yearns for liberty, these two face coming of age in a time of political and social turmoil.

Evaluation: The historical fictions weaves drama, issues, and history seamlessly. And at the end lets you know the facts. You should both be able to enjoy a story and know the difference. It will be up issues that were pertinent to a time and can help you learn from them today. This novel does manage to do that. It gives you a story. It illustrates war, violence, causes, French History, and ties it together with a coming of age story that is timeless. I enjoy historical fiction and this was an interesting story of two teens without a concrete place in the world. Gardner also include historical notes at the end.

Bibliotherapuetic Usefulness: Self-Discovery, finding your place in the world, how politics

shapes your individual world, surviving, children of war

Reason this Book Was Chosen: A lot of American ideals of the French Revolution appear in our constitution. It is an interesting book about both a time in history where the people stood up for their beliefs (right or wrong is was totally brutal). as well as a time when children had to come of age during a very scary, war-hungry time.

Website: http://www.sallygardner.net/