Unwind (Book 1 in the Unwind Dystology)

 

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

One of the titles in our 2026-2027 Battle of the Books competition! 

Stop by the library and check it out!

Three teens fight for their lives and each other in this breathtakingly suspenseful first book in the twisted, New York Times bestselling Unwind Dystology series by Neal Shusterman.

After America’s Second Civil War, the Pro-Choice and Pro-Life armies came to an agreement. According to their Bill of Life, human life may not be terminated from the moment of conception until the age of thirteen. But between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, the child may be gotten rid of by their parent through a process called “unwinding.”

By repurposing a teen’s organs and other body parts in living recipients, the unwound child’s life doesn’t technically end. According to society’s leaders, unwinding leads to a healthier and safer community, as troublesome and unwanted teens are used for the greater good.

Conner is a rebel whose unwinding was ordered by his parents. Rita, a ward of the state, has been slated for unwinding due to cost cutting. And Lev, his parents’ tenth child, has been destined for unwinding since birth as a religious tithe. As their paths intersect, they start to fight for their own destinies. But do they stand a chance of escaping their fate or proving their lives are worth saving?

"Following in the footsteps of Jonathan Swift, Shusterman uncorks a Modest Proposal of his own to solve a Pro-Life/Pro-Choice dilemma...ingeniously developed cast and premise."--Booklist

"The shocking premise is unveiled immediately, and a nail-biting pace is sustained throughout, with the teens flung headlong into a true life-or-death struggle...these haunting debates will likely linger in the reader's mind even after the riveting plot fades...an ideal blend of philosophy and action set in a compelling futuristic landscape."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Snowglobe

 

Snowglobe, Bk. 1 of the Snowglobe Duology by Soyoung Park 

In a world of constant winter, only the citizens of the climate-controlled city of Snowglobe can escape the bitter cold—but this perfect society is hiding dark and dangerous secrets within its frozen heart.

Enclosed under a vast dome, Snowglobe is the last place on Earth that’s warm. Outside Snowglobe is a frozen wasteland, and every day, citizens face the icy world to get to their jobs at the power plant, where they produce the energy Snowglobe needs. Their only solace comes in the form of twenty-four-hour television programming streamed directly from the domed city.

The residents of Snowglobe have everything: fame, fortune, and above all, safety from the desolation outside their walls. In exchange, their lives are broadcast to the less fortunate outside, who watch eagerly, hoping for the chance to one day become actors themselves.

Chobahm lives for the time she spends watching the shows produced inside Snowglobe. Her favorite? Goh Around, starring Goh Haeri, Snowglobe’s biggest star—and, it turns out, the key to getting Chobahm her dream life.

Because Haeri is dead, and Chobahm has been chosen to take her place. Only, life inside Snowglobe is nothing like what you see on television. Reality is a lie, and truth seems to be forever out of reach.

Translated for the first time into English from the original Korean, Snowglobe is a groundbreaking exploration of personal identity, and the future of the world as we know it. It is the winner of the Changbi X Kakaopage Young Adult Novel Award.

Reviews

“A thrillingly and ingeniously conceived allegory about where we are, and where we’re headed.” —David Yoon, New York Times bestselling author of Frankly in Love

"Utterly unputdownable, Snowglobe is an out-of-this-world dystopian thrill ride. Soyoung Park has created an addictive, twisty tale perfect for fans looking for the next Squid Game or Parasite.”—Amélie Wen Zhao, New York Times bestselling author of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night

"Readers will appreciate the rich Korean culture that permeates every part of the book and the well-done character development." —School Library Journal

One of our Battle of the Books titles! Come into the library if you're interested in joining the club!

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Summary

Ambition will fuel him.

Competition will drive him.

But power has its price.

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined -- every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute... and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

Reviews

 

#1 USA Today Bestseller

#1 New York Times Bestseller

"The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes delivers a mesmerizing look into the life of Coriolanus Snow and the root causes of his villainous behavior. Collins once again proves that she is a master of building a fascinating world around complex characters who must grapple with the complications of chaos and control and their effects on human nature." -- The Associated Press

"It is a steep challenge to write a book whose hero is, everyone knows, destined to become deeply evil. Do we want to hear -- now, after we know the endgame -- that the young Voldemort was unfairly saddled with a demerit in class or that the adolescent Sauron fretted because he had to wear hand-me-down clothes? Yes, please." -- New York Times

"For true fans of The Hunger Games, Collins shines most as she weaves in tantalizing details that lend depth to the gruesome world she created in the original series and Coriolanus's place in its history." -- Time

Legend by Marie Lu

California Young Reader Medal Nominee for 2014-2015

Author's Book Trailer

This gripping, dystopian novel tells the entire tale from two points of view.  The chapters alternate between June's perspective and Day's.  The reader senses, and waits, for their paths to cross.  The setting is the future western states, now know as the Republic, a nation at war with its neighbors. 

June is a 15 year old prodigy, born into wealth and groomed by the Republic army.  Day, on the other hand, was raised in the slums and is referred to as a criminal.  There is no real reason for their lives to cross paths, but they do; it is difficult as a reader to put the book down, sensing the meeting will happen soon.

Day is simply trying to keep his family together and survive, but he is thrust into June's world as she seeks to avenge the death of her brother, Metias.  This unlikely pair begin to unravel the mysteries of not only Metias's death, but also the evil workings of the government he was serving at the time of his death.    

The novel is fast-paced and full of twists and connections.  The alternating perspectives places the reader inside the minds of both characters in a way that brings each to life.  If you enjoy dystopian novels, like The Hunger Games series, you will enjoy this novel as well as the sequels, Prodigy and Champion.
Mrs. Flores  

Excerpt from the novel:  

DAY

"In other words the Republic has no idea what I look like.  They don't seem to know much of anything about me, except that I am young and when they run my fingerprints they don't find a match in their databases.  That's why they hate me, why I am not the most dangerous criminal in the country, but the most wanted.  I make them look bad (Lu 2)."