Undivided by Neal Shusterman

 

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Source: I purchased a copy

This is the fourth and final book in this series. Connor is definitely a changed young man. That is all I will say about that. Cam, the young man who was a rewind, someone created from unwound parts has helped to bring justice to unwinds and rewinds everywhere. The government must now look at what they have done for years and decide if it is morally acceptable. Justice for those who didn’t survive and for those who were wronged. Neal Shusterman has kept this conflict about what is morally right in the forefront. He has given us a series that takes an issue still debated today and shows what happens when things are taken to the extreme. He shows how people justify things much the same way people justified what took place during the Holocaust. The story leaves so much for the reader to think about. This book  was so full of unexpected twists, sadness and happy events that made it a suitable and satisfying ending to the series. It also leaves the reader with a lot to think about.

Unsouled by Neal Shusterman

 

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

Source: I purchased

This third book in the Unwind series takes us deeper into how unwinding began. Connor is rescued by Lev once again. The Graveyard is raided and most of the unwinds are captured. They are all searching for Sonia to get answers to hopefully stop the unwinding. What they learn is very nefarious.  The parts pirates turned my stomach. How could someone take people, whether they are to be unwound or not and sell them for parts? Oh yeah, we have people who kill others for their organs. Not much different than the parts pirates. We learn something from Sonia that could have prevented the unwinding. We also learn why unwinding wasn’t stopped.  Shusterman keeps the tension going. He keeps giving us more to learn about the characters we have come to care for so much, and at the same time introduces us to new characters. Some of them we love and some of them we love to hate. We have a group of teens who have had to grow up way too fast, yet still behave like teens.  You can feel the tension in regards to the unwinding situation building to a point where there will be no turning back. It is an all or nothing outcome.

UnWholly by Neal Shusterman

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

Source: Purchased

Years ago as the rest of the books in this series came out I read them, yet failed to write reviews on them. I decided to reread the entire series while home on break. This is the second book in this wonderful series by one of my favorite authors. In this second book a lot has happened. The Admiral is no longer running the “Graveyard”.  Conner is now in charge.  Risa has her own roll to play in front of the camera’s. Lev has come a long way. He started out a willing tithe until he was kidnapped and went one hundred percent the other way becoming a clapper. With the help of his former pastor he has a new purpose in life.  We meet a character named Cam who like Frankenstein was created from all unwound parts. Shusterman has done a wonderful job of making you love the characters that are so despicable.  In other words he does an excellent job of creating characters that you will love to hate. I think the thing I love the most about this series is that it shows what could happen in a future where the pro-choice and pro-life sides take things to the extreme.  No matter what side of the argument you are on when you read this book, you realize that the third option was definitely not the correct option.  It also touches on the questions about having a soul, especially if you are unwound.  This reminded me of Robin Wasserman’s series “Skinned”, for the same issues of whether the character still has a soul.  Highly recommend both series. I will say as I have before that Neal Shusterman and ALL of his books are some of my favorites of all time and I am thrilled to introduce them to another generation of teens.

 

In a Deep Dark Magic Wood by Scott Peters

 

Genre:  Middle Grade, Fantasy

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Wren has lived all her life in the tower of a private school. She has three mentors who feed her and teach her. Every day, she goes to the tower's roof and sits, waiting for the young boy who struggles to walk. He always smiles at her. He seems to be the only one who can see her. 

On her thirteenth birthday, she is whisked away from the school and driven to a place she knows nothing about. She overhears a conversation between her mentor and the woman, who she learns is her grandmother.  She also learns she is to be the Griffen Queen. She follows a chipmunk and is transported into another world. Her grandmother yells something to her as she goes through the portal.

Wren finds herself surrounded by thorny vines with no way out. A young girl with green hair sees her, grabs her and pulls her through. This young girl, named Nessa believes Wren is the Herald who has come to defeat the next ascendant to the throne. Since this is the first friend she has ever made, there is no way she can tell her who she really is.  Now she has two problems. The first is that she has promised, and she meant it, to save Nessa's land. The second problem is that the monsters outside the vines want her to destroy her. How can she accomplish everything she needs when those she has promised to protect find out who she really is?

The way this ended I am hoping there is a sequel. This is an on the edge of your seat, can't put the book down read. I ordered a copy for my classroom shelves because this is such an awesome book.  Great for those who really love fantasy.

Write Like This by Kelly Gallagher

 

Genre: Educationa, Informational

Source: I purchased a copy

If you are a teacher or a homeschooling parent and don't know how to teach your children the important skills of writing based on real-world experiences, then this is the book you need.

Kelly is a wealth of knowledge in this area. His students are taught from the first day that writing is very important in his class. There are nine chapters in this book.  One of my favorites was the chapter called Express and Reflect.  I have been a reflective writer for years. I have had my students reflect on their work. I never considered teaching them the difference between expressive writing and reflective writing.  Throughout the book he makes it clear that you need to demonstrate with the kids what you are trying to teach them. Show them that you too make mistakes in writing and that writing is hard, but reachable.  The book is full of not only his examples, but also student examples. We as a teacher get to see his teaching method throughout the book.  I have read this book at least three times. I learn something new every single time.  I recommend all teachers take a look at this book.