UnWholly (2012) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 5 stars

“Oh.My.God. I'm in love with these series! First: Isn't the cover simply amazing?! I totally lovee itt!! Second: wow! all the new characters and their amazing stories. This book really made me think of the meaning of life, and I found myself understanding Cam. It's kind of weird but the author makes an excellent point--it's not his fault that he exist, he didn't choose it.
And there's Nelson. Ugh! By the middle of the book I just wanted someone to kill that guy:/ and Starkey. ugh:/
lol. But this author has become one of my favorite authors[3
Cannot wait for the third one!!! LOVE IT.”

• Rated 5 stars

“Shusterman, Neal. UnWholly. New York: Simon & Schuster For Young Readers, 2012. Print.

Summary: In this sequel to Shusterman’s Unwholly, the unwinds try to survive underground. After the Happy Jack rebellion, the plight of unwound teens has come into the forefront. The ethics of unwinding is again examined throughout the novel. The use of unwound parts is especially questioned when the parts are used to create a whole person. Adding to the dilemma is the existence of parts pirates, who ignore the laws of unwinding. Parts pirates will turn over teens who haven’t been unwound, or who turn in tithed teens without revealing their status. Shusterman has developed the personalities of Risa, Lev and Connor. He has also introduced the new characters of Starkey, Trace, Miracolina and Cam. Through Starkey, we learn that all unwinds do not support each other and despite their shared plight, competition ensues. Connor finds that running the graveyard is not that easy and that he may be in over his head. Starkey organizes all the storked teens to rebel against Connor. Risa has her legs replaced and seems to have turned on the “whollies” cause. The graveyard is attacked by the juvie cops and Lev and Connor head for non-violent change. I recommend this novel to middle school students. There is a good deal of “puppy love” and great character development. This is an easy book to read with a theme that will interest young adults.
Ridiculously Simple Synopsis: Teens defend against being unwound.
Curriculum Connection: Students can discuss how current events or legal issues can be compared to that of the debate unwinding or of “winding” a human.
Reading Level: Middle School
Genre: non-fiction, dystopia
Characters:
Connor Lassiter: Connor was appointed the leader of the graveyard after the General retired. He made notoriety as the Akron AWOL in Unwind. Everyone thinks he died in the Happy Jack rebellion.
Risa Ward: Risa serves as the medic at the graveyard and is Connor’s love interest.
Miracolina: Miracolina is a tithe who is rescued by Lev.
Lev: Lev is the tithe who is under house arrest at the beginning of the book. He is good friends with Connor.
Hayden: A friend and ally of Connor’s from the Happy Jack rebellion.
Cam: Cam is a “rewind”. He is made of unwind parts and is under the control of Proactive Citizenry.
Roberta: Roberta controls Cam and has become a sort of mother to him.

Starkey: Starkey is an AWOL stork who competes with Connor for leadership of the graveyard.
Nelson: A juvey cop who turned parts pirate. He is the juvey cop who originally lost Connor during the Akron AWOL incident. He now trades unwinds for new eyes for himself.”

• Rated 4 stars

“Very interesting update to Unwind, looking forward to the 3rd installment of the trilogy.”

• Rated 5 stars

“As a living kidney donor, I am appalled at the premise of this book: teens are being "unwound" for body parts. What a terrifying thought! It is a great book with riviting details and amazing characters.”

• Rated 4 stars

“Loved it, expecially the fact that it starts telling the story from the point of view of new (side) characters. Normally I wouldn't think this would work but it does. Loved it!”

• Rated 5 stars

“I thought it was going to take me a while to get into, but then I read the last 350 pages today, so apparently I was wrong.”

• Rated 0 stars

“The fast-paced exciting story of AWOL Unwinds continues in Unwholly. Conner and Risa saved from life in a divided state only to be faced with many more problems. More characters are introduced. The cliff hanger ending will make you want to pick up #3 in this series as fast as possible.”

• Rated 5 stars

“I NEVER KNEW THERE WAS GOING TO BE MORE BOOKS!!!”

• Rated 4 stars

“Just as great as the first book.”

• Rated 5 stars

“This book begs to be shared and discussed! I'm loving it!”