Only 13 years late on this book. My students are doing a deep dive into dystopia, so I figured I should check this one out since so many kids have mentioned it. Loved the book and now may just need to check out the movie!

I have started to read more dystopian novels recently and I really enjoyed this one. Society has been reduced to 500 words and apprentice Letta and her master are the only ones allowed to read and use more words. When her master disappears she becomes the Wordsmith and discovers things aren't as they should be.

Imagine a world where once you turn 13 your parents have the option to have you unwound if you haven't turned out the way they want. Unwinding is the act of taking apart your body and using the parts on others as needed. You do not die, you are simply unwound. In this dystopian novel, Shusterman keeps the reader on the edge of their seat as three Unwinds try to escape their destiny, and break the rules of this postapocalyptic world they live in.