Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Society has decided that while abortion is not moral, deciding to unwind a teen before their 18th birthday is.  Teens get nominated for a program in a variety of ways but the same thing happens to all of them, their body parts are taken and used as donor organs for other people.  This way they are not truly dead, but still in some way live on.  Connor discovers that his parents have decided to unwind him because of his rebellious nature.  Risa is a ward of the state and her piano playing is just not quite good enough to save her from being unwound.  Lev has known his entire life he is going to be unwound because of his family’s religion.  All three of their lives come crashing together on an interstate highway as they head off to their unwinding.

In this novel, Shusterman has created a science fiction world that examines the abortion debate in our own society, taking it to an extreme that sheds light on our own moral questioning and convictions.  His world is horrific in its logic, haunting in its simplicity, and amazingly gripping and terrifying. 

The writing is taut with tension most of the novel, making it almost impossible to put down.  Shusterman’s three main characters are as different as people can be, but all three are human and interesting.  Many of the characters in the novel are surprising and none of them are stereotypes.

Highly recommended for science fiction fans, particularly those who enjoy a good dystopian setting.  I would also recommend this to teens who enjoy books that ask ethical questions, it will open their eyes to the fact that science fiction can read this way without aliens or laser guns.  Appropriate for ages 13-16.