In the book “The Unwanteds” Alex and Aaron Stowe await their fates. In which there is a magical world named Artimé of magic, art, and singing. Yet still a dreary place called Quill where being creative is a death sentence. One can either be a Wanted in which one gets to go to a university, or be Necessary in which one is sent to do the chores, or one could be an Unwanted in which one is sent to their grave. Alexander and Aaron Stowe are thirteen and it is the day of Purge. Alex knows his chances of becoming a Wanted are limited because he has been seen drawing in the dirt before. Aaron thinks that he will become a Wanted. When they are separated Alex tries to get back to Aaron in the university, while Aaron has completely discarded Alex from his life. Who will get their way? Read the book to find out! This book was exciting, intense, and full of action. I didn't even want to put the book down. I gave this a five star rating because it was everything I liked.
The Unwanteds
By Lisa McMann
| Interest Level | Reading Level | Reading A-Z | ATOS | Word Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 4 - 8 | Grades 4 - 7 | n/a | 5.7 | 68014 |
Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret--behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a place called Artime.
In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it's a wondrous transformation.
But it's a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.
Book Reviews (195)
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Unwanted is perfect for readers who want a book with many adventures. Unwanted is a fantasy/magic book. If.your looking for a book that may last longer I really recommend it.
Alex Stowe and his twin, Aaron, grew up in Quill, a land where creativity is banned. If you get caught drawing in the dirt, you would be sent to the Great Lake of Boiling Oil and get thrown in. Unless you were part of the government, you wouldn’t know how to write, and dancing and music was unheard of. One day Alex gets caught drawing a picture of his house in the mud. He, along with some other kids- the other Unwanteds- were sent to the Great Lake of Boiling Oil, but Aaron wasn’t there. Aaron was a Wanted, which means that he gets to stay in Quill along with the other Wanteds. Alex was supposed to die when he was sentenced, but Mr. Today, the man who is supposed to kill the children, rescue them. He brings them to a magical world that is the exact opposite of Quill. There is singing and dancing, drawing and painting, and most important of all, magic. The children are awed by this world called the Artmè. Alex and his friends go on an adventure and have to save the Artmè before it gets destroyed. This is the first book in the Unwanteds series and just the start of Alex’s adventures in the Artmè.
Who wants to read a book about friends bonding, statues coming to life, and an incredible world of imagination? 13-year-old Alex Stowe lives in the dreary land of Quill, where any type of creativity is considered, rebellious and a danger to the society. On a special day every year, all the 13-year-olds of Quill are gathered, a ceremony called "The Purge,". You could be sorted into three groups: Wanted, which is the highest role, and sent to elite schools. Necessary, which meant you did regular jobs, like farming, and other things as well. And then there's Unwanteds. Unwanteds are not needed, for they have previously have shown signs of creativity, and as stated before, creativity is banned. Alex has a twin brother Aaron, who was Purged Wanted. Alex is Purged Unwanted, so he's sent with the other Unwanteds to the Lake Of Boiling Oil. They're supposed to die there...BUT! Alex and the others are sent to Artimé, a land of creation and creativity. He makes fast friends with Lani and Meghan, one a neighbor and the other a government workers daughter. They meet the eccentric Mr. Today, who welcomes them in joyfully. While there, they discover their true passions, Meghan's is music, Lani's is magic, and Alex's is drawing and painting. The trio meet snobbish Samheed, who they befriend eventually. When Alex has settled down, he aches to tell his twin about Artimé. But when his plans go awry, will Alex and his friends be able to save their new home? An excellent word to describe this book is phenomenal, and even that's not even good enough! It's packed with magic, the characters are relatable, and it deals with how families can be separated, but can still love each other.
Do you like both Harry Potter and The Hunger Games? If so then this book is one of your must-reads! Every year there is a Purge to separate the Wanted's, the Necessaries, and the Unwanteds. Alex was one of the Unwanteds, while his brother Aaron, a Wanted. All the Unwanteds go to the Death Farm to meet their fate.... death. WAIT! That is not how it ends! As Alex and the other Unwanteds thought they were about to die something happened, something very magical happened to be precise. They found themselves in a place called Artime (say cafe, the ending, which is the e, is the same pronunciation with Artime. Sorry if you don't understand what I mean!) Artime is a place to be creative and to express your feelings, a place where you don't have to hide. Alex went to school there and finally was able to start Magical Warrior Training, where you combine magic and art to fight and protect, because very soon Artime will need all it's forces to fight a battle in order to keep Artime safe..... Happy reading!
I really loved this book of how the Alex, his friends discover Artime and help Mr. Today with the war against Quill. I really loved the concept and the idea of have Wanteds , Nesscaries, and ofcourse, the Unwanteds.
I chose The Unwanteds, by Lisa McMann as a read aloud for my 5th Media students. My students delight in the way the author shatters "normal" perceptions of everything the Unwanteds have grown up believing as true. The stark reality of Quill and the unmitigated freedom to express themselves in Artime are well written. My students are enjoying this book immensely!
Imagine being told that you can't draw, sing, storytell, or do anything else in the Arts. And that because you did it you will be sent to your death. Well, that's what happened to Alex Stowe. But what is even worse is that his twin brother, Aaron is a wanted, which means they stay in the land of Quill. Alex and all of the other unwanteds are surprised when they go to be sent to their death, that instead of a land of horror, it's a land of magic and much better then Quill. The unwanteds learn how to master the arts, learn magical training, and make new friends. But the feeling of missing Aaron in Alex doesn't go away. So when some horrible information gets heard in Alex's ears, Alex knows that he must rescue his brother at all costs. Even if it means risking this beautiful land that the unwanteds live in. But the truth sometimes hurts more than you think it would. Lisa McMann does a perfect job of tying in fantasy and magic with real life emotions and adventure. Happy reading!
Love your review! It’s a very good book!
" hunger games meet's harry potter"
it cute and funny but also thrilling. i love the whole series!