The Unwanteds is another candidate for the 2014 Mark Twain Award, our state's award for children's novels.
Once again Mark Twain has persuaded me to pick up a book in a different genre than I prefer. While I enjoy science fiction, I am not a personal fan of fantasy. The review on the front of the book (The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.") really does nothing to persuade me otherwise, since I was not one of Harry's fans.
Still, as with the others, I do try to read all the Mark Twain Award nominees. This year's list has started out impressing me better than recent years, and I'll admit this one surprised me, as well.
Once again Mark Twain has persuaded me to pick up a book in a different genre than I prefer. While I enjoy science fiction, I am not a personal fan of fantasy. The review on the front of the book (The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.") really does nothing to persuade me otherwise, since I was not one of Harry's fans.
Still, as with the others, I do try to read all the Mark Twain Award nominees. This year's list has started out impressing me better than recent years, and I'll admit this one surprised me, as well.
 | Author Lisa McMann's website gives a synopsis of the book: Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their graves. |
Most of the book is about the unwanted creative children adapting to their new setting. They look to old and new relationships, whether good or bad, to support them in their new home. They learn about the arts - music, dance, painting, writing, acting, poetry, and more - and how to use each as a weapon, in case of the inevitable battle with their dystopian hometown.
Settling into Artimé is the best part of this tale; when the scene changes to the predictable battle, there are some disturbing images that emerge, as well as a couple of errors in the storyline. The deaths that occur are nonchalantly excused by the characters with little to no remorse. In addition, this book commits one of my other pet peeves: it is the first in a trilogy. Therefore, the ending presents many questions and does not adequately satisfy the reader's need for closure.
Still, you have to admit, the teaser/trailer for the book (below) does spark interest for this book.
Settling into Artimé is the best part of this tale; when the scene changes to the predictable battle, there are some disturbing images that emerge, as well as a couple of errors in the storyline. The deaths that occur are nonchalantly excused by the characters with little to no remorse. In addition, this book commits one of my other pet peeves: it is the first in a trilogy. Therefore, the ending presents many questions and does not adequately satisfy the reader's need for closure.
Still, you have to admit, the teaser/trailer for the book (below) does spark interest for this book.
If a student reads (or is read) as few as four of the twelve Mark Twain Award nominees from the Missouri Association of School Librarians list, s/he may officially vote to help determine the 2014 recipient of the award.
