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Description

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned... read more

Summary

In the first part of the book, the author, Neil Shusterman, introduces three characters named Risa, Connor, and Lev. Connor comes from a rough neighborhood. When he catches news that he is going to be Unwound ( the process of dividing a body into different parts and placing the parts into a... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Important People

  • Connor Lassiter: Connor Lassiter is being unwound because of his temper. His parents can't control him, and see no other option. Connor decides to run away, and along the way, meets Risa and Lev, two other Unwinds who quickly become companions.
  • Risa Ward: Risa shares her last name with thousands of other kids, all wards of the state. Since a recent budget cutback, Risa and many other Wards have been shipped off to Unwinding, since they aren't talented enough to remain in the state's care. When a bus accident allows Risa to escape from her fate, she runs into runaway Connor and his hostage, Lev.
  • Levi "Lev" Jedediah Calder: Lev is the 10th child of a very religious family. His family plays by the rules of their church, and they must give 10% of everything they own. Lev, therefore, grows up knowing he is a tithe. He know at the age of 13 he will be taken to the Harvest Camp where he will do his part for society. He is intercepted on his way to Harvest Camp and has to battle between his gut instincts to survive and what he has been taught by his church all his life.
  • Roland: Add a description of this character.
  • Cy-Ty
  • Connor Lassiter (Billy): Connor is one of three main characters of the book. He was a bad kid and was sent to be Unwound. He runs away and becomes Akron Awol. They call him Akron because he tranquilized a Juvey cop which made him famous.
  • Risa Ward (Billy): This character was a child who was part of the StaHo state camp. She did not have enough talent and was sent to be Unwinded. She is the girlfriend of Connor of the book in the future of the book.
  • Levi (Billy): This kid is a super religious child and was called a tithe. A tithe is a child who is raised to be Unwound. Connor saves him in the book from being Unwound
  • Cyrus (Billy): Is a super genius child who makes friends with Levi in the story. He has a lobe of his brain that isn't his and caused him to go insane until Levi helps him. He also goes against congress in the book to save Unwinds.
  • Roland (Billy): Is the evil character of the book. He is one who always trying to kill or pick a fight with Connor.
  • Admirable (Billy): Is the leader of the Graveyard. He saves Unwinds and use to be part of the navy.
  • Hayden: Is Connors right hand man at the Graveyard.

Memorable Quotes

  • “"Don't I have a choice in this?" But when she looks behind her, the answer is clear. There are two guards waiting to make sure that she has no choice at all. And as they lead her away, she thinks of Mr. Durkin. With a bitter laugh, Risa realizes that he may get his wish after all. Someday he may see her hands playing in Carnegie Hall. Unfortunately, the rest of Risa won't be there.”
  • “Picasso had to prove to the world he can paint the right way, before he goes putting both eyes on one side of a face, and noses stickin' outta kneecaps and stuff. See, if you paint wrong because that's the best you can do, you just a chump. But you do it because you want to? Then you're an artist.”
    CyFi
  • “Billy “It’s not an it. It’s a she.””
    Connor
  • “Billy “ if every part of you is alive but inside someone else… are you alive or are you dead?””
    Hayden
  • “Billy . “He allows himself a brief moment of satisfaction, glancing over at the smiling picture of his son Harlan-better known as Humphrey in modern folklore, but those who loved him know his real name. Yes, the Admiral is redeeming himself, and setting things right, bit by bit by bit.””
    Admirable

First Sentence

The Second Civil War, also known as "The Heartland War," was a long and bloody conflict fought over a single issue.

Table of Contents

The Bill of Life

I. Triplicate
1. Connor
2. Risa
3. Lev
4. Connor
5. Cop
6. Lev
7. Connor
8. Risa

II. Storked
9. Mother
10. Risa
11. Connor
12. Risa
13. Lev
14. Connor
15. Lev
16. Teacher
17. Risa
18. Lev
19. Connor
20. Risa

III. Transit
21. Lev
22. Risa
23. Connor
24. Risa
25. Connor

IV. Destinations
26. Pawnbroker
27. Connor
28. Risa
29. Lev
30. Cy-Ty
31. Lev

V. Graveyard
32. The Admiral
33. Risa
34. Connor
35. Lev
36. Risa
37. Emby and the Admiral
38. Mob
39. Roland
40. Connor
41. Mob
42. Risa
43. Mob
44. Connor
45. Mob
46. Connor
47. First-Year Residents
48. Risa
49. Roland
50. Connor

VI. Unwound
51. Camp
52. Risa
53. Connor
54. Lev
55. Risa
56. Connor
57. Lev
58. Connor
59. Roland
60. Harvest
61. Roland
62. Lev
63. Guard
64. Connor
65. Clappers

VII. Consciousness
66. Connor
67. Risa
68. Lev
69. Unwinds

Glossary

  • Tithe: One-tenth paid as a religious sacrifice. In Unwind, a tithe is in the form of people. They are raised only to be unwound.
  • Unwind: A person scheduled to be unwound. When your are unwound, your parts are salvaged and reattached to other people in need of them.
  • Chop House: Officially known as the Harvest Camp. This is the building where Unwinds are unwound.

Errata

No errors found.

Authors & Contributors

  1. Neal Shusterman (Author)
 

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