Unwholly by Neal Shusterman

Unwholly by Neal Shusterman is the second book in the Unwind trilogy, Unwholly is a startling book. Each chapter is told from a different character's point of view and the insight you get from each of these perspectives provides a depth to this book that makes it unlike many other dystopian novels. The story follows a group of teens who have escaped the fate of being unwound-their organs and limbs removed and donated to save other people. In this society parents have the option to “unwind” their children if they no longer want them. This rag-tag group of kids who have escaped are on a mission to change the laws of their society.

I absolutely loved this book. Specifically the character of Cam resonated with me. Shusterman’s comments on identity and consciousness through this character make it an ideal book for use in the classroom. This book had me on the edge of my seat half the time and in deep thought the other half. For days after I read it I thought about the implications of this novel and how it connected to my life. It is a great dystopian read and appropriate for late middle school to high school readers. Reader be warned, Unwholly has vulgar language as well as a fair amount of violence.