New Young Adult Fiction

Unwind by Neal Shusterman Reading Level: Grades 7 and up In a future world, where abortion is banned, parents are given the option of “unwinding” their child, donating the entire child’s body for use in medical transplants, between the ages of thirteen and eighteen. Troubled teenager Connor stumbles upon tickets for a family vacation to the Bahamas, but, while there are tickets for his parents and younger brother, there is no ticket for him. Searching further he discovers an Unwind order in his name with his unwinding arranged for the day before the family trip. His only hope is to run away from home and stay hidden from the authorities until he turns nineteen. Reviewer:  SH

Taken by Edward Bloor Reading Level: Grades 6 – 9 In 2035, in a society sharply divided between rich and poor, kidnapping rich children is a “major growth industry.” Thirteen-year-old Charity has even written a paper on the subject, so she knows when she is taken that she has 24 hours for the ransom to be paid and for her release or the plan may have gone horribly wrong. Her story is told in flashbacks as she tries to remain calm during her ordeal. Bloor has crafted a tense thriller with surprising twists that also examines issues such as wealth distribution and health care. Reviewer:  HG

Diamonds in the Shadow by Caroline B. Cooney Reading Level: Grades 6-9 Jared Finch’s family is providing the temporary home for an African refugee family of four. Although Jared and Mattu are the same age, sixteen, Jared doesn’t want a new friend, especially one who shares his bedroom. Jared’s sixth grade sister, however, is thrilled to have a new found “sister,” even one who barely moves and doesn’t talk. But it starts to seem to Jared that there is something strange or wrong about this family. Their post and the present unite for a fast pace exciting climax. The book does not gloss over the horrors of civil war in Africa and readers will learn about blood diamonds. Reviewer:  HG

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