1) What are the themes of the book?  What ideas and/or opinions is the book exploring or discussing?

One theme I noticed was the relationships between friends and family, and the importance this holds.  Connor and Risa (for that matter, all unwinds that are not tithes) have a poor relationship with their family, wether it is because they misbehave or are the reason for poverty.  Having a strong, positive relationship with one's family is vital, even when lacking it doesn't mean that you end up living in "A divided state" (unwound).  Also, perhaps this isn't necessarily a theme, but the heavy debate of abortion rights is discussed.  Throughout reading Unwind, I constantly faced the question, "Is Neal Shusterman pro-life or pro-choice?"  At times, his portrayal of the some characters' hatred of unwinding makes the author seem pro-life, as if unwinding life would be an awful thing.  At the same time, simply having this complicated version of abortion (unwinding) seems to be a pro-choice story.  However, at the end, I think that Shusterman showed both sides of the argument in different lights, each with their respective pros and cons.

2) Consider the main character of the book: what does he/she learn over the course of the narrative?  How does he/she change?

One of the main characters in Unwind is Connor Lassiter.  At the beginning of the novel, Conner is rough and rebellious, running away from his home and even shooting a cop with his own tranquilizing gun.  When he meets Risa Ward, Connor is immediately humbled, though the two bicker throughout the book.  They challenge each other, but by the end they each learn to work well with others.  Had they not changed, they wouldn't have the leadership they gain in the graveyard at the conclusion.  Also, Lev discovers his ability to tink for himself.  Originally, Lev only allowed his parents, Pastor Dan, and God to think for him -- making him believe that his tithing was a fantastically holy sacrifice -- but by the end, Lev had learned to think for himself.  Lev's independence was proved near the end, when he chose not to explode his body as a clapper like his partners.

3) What are the three sections/events/elements of the book that you find the most memorable/interesting?

As mentioned in the first question, the abortion topic is highly interesting.  In today's society, the issue of abortion is highly argued and disputed.  In Unwind, there is debate about wether or not unwinding should be allowed by law.  Sometimes it seemed horrific and unthinkable, like murder, but at other times, seemed like it may have a positive side -- perhaps that it saves many lives.  It was a very timely issue, portrayed in a future setting which gave the conflict a deeper level to think about.  Another is the idea of the graveyard, a place rebelling against the Bill of Life (what gives people the right to have a child unwound).  The thought that a society could exist under the law, transporting helpless children across the country, perplexes me.  I wonder if it resembles anything that could happen in current times.  It seems to resemble a slave trade almost, powerful men shuttling young children around, putting them to work.  Finally, my heart went out to Admiral Dunfee, because his story about his son, Harlan, was sincere and felt more realistic than other unwinding stories.  Many parents take their child away to be unwound simply because they misbehave or the like.  My initial reaction was one of confusion -- Why would they be so stupid as to unwind their child?  The Admiral's story felt realistic and interesting.  I wanted to know more about his story, and I liked at the end of the book when there was the people who had Harlan's body talked to one another.

4) How does the book's subject and themes connect to the rest of your junior high curriculum (what you've studied or been exposed to over the past year and a half)?

Again, the struggle over whether or not abortion should be legal and to what extent had a major role in Unwind.  With Eric last year, in Civics, we discussed the history of the United States and also how a bill is passed.  Having a historical and political understanding of our nation helped me to fathom the theme of abortion in Unwind.  Also, at this age, I feel that relationships between children and their parents are strained and rough.  The importance of a close relationship with one's parents seems to be a theme in this book as mentioned before.  Of course, when a teenager might fight with their parents today, they do not risk unwinding, but the idea still appears to be a metaphor for the teenage rebellious arguing with their parents.

5) Did you enjoy the book?  Why?  Would you recommend it for net year's Reading Bowl?

Sometimes I had trouble putting down this book because it is so riveting.  The book moved at a rapid pace -- something was always happening.  I also really enjoyed the way the author remained in third person, but jumped from character to character.  This unique writing made the book continuously interesting and kept my attention.  I would recommend Unwind for the reading bowl next year, because, in addition to all of this, it has kept me thinking about the abortion issue since I finished it.