Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

Has anyone read Unwind? It's a really good book and reminded me of The Giver in a lot of ways. It's a futuristic dystopian story where parents have the option to "unwind" their kids between the ages of 13-18 if they are unhappy with them, which basically means end their life. I don't want to give too much away, but wondered if anyone else has read it or anything else by Shusterman?

It's on my TBR list along with Everlost. I'll need to start something new very soon, should I move this one to next?

I just bought Everlost but haven't started it yet. It doesn't fit into the Reading Challenge for me so it'll have to wait until April.

I thought Unwind was pretty interesting, and has that feel of being almost plausible like the Giver. Where you can almost see how people would accept unwinding as an option...

I'm not sure what types of books you generally like, but it was on both my and my teenaged son's favorites list last year.

I'll go for that next then! I must get to Everlost soon too as the sequel has been out for a couple of months!

I've been wanting to read Unwind for awhile. I've heard mixed reports, but it seems like something I'd like.

A whole stack of newies arrived today (insert guilty face)that I really want to dive into especially Going Bovine and the new Diana Wynne Jones but I will be strong and make them wait!

You're a stronger person than me, Bill! I'd be digging in. Let me know what you think of Going Bovine. I've been wondering about it, but I really did not enjoy A Great and Terrible Beauty so I've held off.

It's hard! The Bray has been recommended by so many people I finally went for it. The video clip on youtube was the final clincher. Haven't read any of the Doyle books as I thought they sounded a bit too girly for me.

Have you got to Everwild yet Ryan?

Let me know what you think of Unwind, Bill. I loaned it to my aunt for her grandson, so she read it first and thought it was too disturbing for middle school kids. I disagree, and gladly loaned it to my son this year for a book report! I'm curious to see what others think...

Unwind was on the Black Eyed Susan Award list this year (student choice award in MD) at the high school level. Our students have loved it and I have a feeling it's going to win.

I finished it AngelaSunshine and really liked it(apart from the word boeuf which bugged me)Intend moving Everlost up the TBR as I liked his writing too.

Bill wrote: "I finished it AngelaSunshine and really liked it(apart from the word boeuf which bugged me)Intend moving Everlost up the TBR as I liked his writing too."

Funny that you said that, because boeuf really bugged me too! Glad you enjoyed it. I have Everlost and Everwild on my bookshelf, but just haven't gotten to them yet... So many books, so few hours!

AngelaSunshine wrote: "Funny that you said that, bec..."

It more than bugged me but I was being polite ;-)
Did he use it every 20 pages or am I imagining that?

Wow, Ryan you must have gone straight out and bought that fast. Glad you enjoyed it. I will get to Everlost soon and start catching up.

I am currently reading Everlost and plan on reading Unwind at some point.

I loved how every he grabbed my attention as soon as I started reading Everlost, so I have high hopes.

I absolutely loved Unwind. I thought it was an eerily possible world, and that makes me nervous. I loved the interaction between the different characters, and the way each found their own place within their world.
I know I'm awful but I also loved in the beginning that Connor bought his mom flowers... Hehe...
It's such a unique idea, and I thought the author did a great job with it.

I loved Unwind. I like how the author took many things that are happening and fought over now and put it in the book in such a way that made you really think about it. I know I'm being kinda cryptic , but I don't want to give too much away for those that haven't read it.
If this book is on your list, don't put it off any longer! I'd love to discuss the book after everyone has read it.

Ashley wrote: "I absolutely loved Unwind. I thought it was an eerily possible world, and that makes me nervous. I loved the interaction between the different characters, and the way each found their own place wit..."

I totally agree Ashley! He made the characters flawed and real, especially Connor. How many times did we as kids purposely do or say something to make our parents squirm and feel bad?!

My aunt read the book too and hated it for the way it seems almost plausible. Too uncomfortable for her. That's what I liked best!

I know what you mean AngelaS. If we got to the point where it was an all out war between prolife/prochoice, I can almost see something like this becoming an option, if we had the technology for it. It makes a scary kind of sense. I mean, really... Imagine the possibilities.
I love that each character progresses throughout the novel, each questioning what they've always believed, and coming to terms with themselves and growing from the experience, and becoming better for it.
I thought Neal Shusterman did a fantastic job with this one, and will definitely read more of his because of this.

I just finished Everlost and thought it was pretty good too. Not as high on my list as Unwind, but definitely good. I have Everwild on order at Amazon right now. :-)

I am super excited because Neal Shusterman is going to be at the L.A. Times Festival of Books this weekend. It's being held at UCLA. He's supposed to be signing for at least an hour, I'm bringing my copy of Unwind!

Awesome Angela! I'm jealous!

WooHoo!!! Neal signed my son's copy of Unwind. Very cool. In exchange, I gave him a copy of my son's book report (newspaper format) on Unwind. Thought what the heck!

I just heard somewhere (Shusterman's twitter maybe?) that he's going to write a followup book to Unwind. I'm not sure how I feel about that. It's such a great book on its own!

Lol Heather, I agree! It's such a great book that it doesn't really need anything else!! Sigh.

AngelaSunshine wrote: "I just heard somewhere (Shusterman's twitter maybe?) that he's going to write a followup book to Unwind. I'm not sure how I feel about that. It's such a great book on its own!"

I really felt that it was a stand alone book. I mean it would be fun for it to have a sequel so we can see what happens next, but everything was wrapped up so nicely.

BTW Angela, I haven't been able to find Shusterman on Twitter- is he on there? What's his name?

AngelaSunshine wrote: "I am super excited because Neal Shusterman is going to be at the L.A. Times Festival of Books this weekend. It's being held at UCLA. He's supposed to be signing for at least an hour, I'm bringing m..."

Neal's going to be at the NCTE conference here in Orlando in November- I am SUPER excited!

I don't feel it needs a sequel....

Kellee wrote: "AngelaSunshine wrote: "I just heard somewhere (Shusterman's twitter maybe?) that he's going to write a followup book to Unwind. I'm not sure how I feel about that. It's such a great book on its ow..."

He is on Twitter... He's NealShusterman (all one word)

Kellee wrote: "AngelaSunshine wrote: "I just heard somewhere (Shusterman's twitter maybe?) that he's going to write a followup book to Unwind. I'm not sure how I feel about that. It's such a great book on its ow..."

I felt it was awesome as a stand alone, too. I'd kinda like it to stay that way, even though I wanted more of the story. I like the "wanting more" feeling, ya know?

As a teacher, how do you feel about recommending this book? What ages would you say? Would you suggest this or does it touch on too many hotspots? I'm just curious, since some of my family had such a strong adverse reaction, and I adored it!

AngelaSunshine wrote: "Kellee wrote: "AngelaSunshine wrote: "I just heard somewhere (Shusterman's twitter maybe?) that he's going to write a followup book to Unwind. I'm not sure how I feel about that. It's such a great..."

I could see how some would have an adverse reaction to it, but there is not much in it that is too risqué (except for the one complete description of the unwinding...). I would say that I wouldn't recommend it for students under 12 (7th grade).

Kellyflower wrote: "I don't feel it needs a sequel...."

I agree...I felt it was stand alone.

I loved this book. It would make an amazing class discussion book for a HS english or social studies class. I definitely think it stands alone. Maybe a companion book (a big maybe) but only if it was with a different cast of characters. It is one of the best written books I've read in a long, long time. I deserves every award and honor it has received! A++

Just read Bruiser by Shusterman. If you haven't read it, I can recommend it to you. It is like a YA version of King's the Green Mile. The pacing is great and it is extremely interesting.

Heather wrote: "I finished Unwind last night. I loved the book. I thought it was interesting how Shusterman could explore the possible outcomes of the abortion debate without really expressing a view or taking a s..."

I loved Unwind, one of the reasons being exactly what you said here, and Neal Shusterman became one of my authors to follow. A highlight of my fall will be his appearance at our children's literacy festival!

I just bought Unwholly this month and felt tempted to buy the Everlost trilogy, but my husband encouraged me to read it first. Is Everlost as good? Why or why not?

Reading these posts, I realize that Shusterman has written other books too. What are your favorites?