The Unwanteds
#1 of 7 in The Unwanteds Quests Series
on Goodreads (43,949)
What’s inside...
In a society that purges thirteen-year-olds who are creative, identical twins Aaron and Alex are separated, one to attend University while the other, supposedly Eliminated, finds himself in a wondrous place where youths hone their abilities and learn magic. 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 deaths. 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, 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 occurrence 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.
Character compass
Alex Stowe
Meghan Ranger
Simber
Samheed Burkesh
Lani Haluki
Marcus Today
High Priest Justine
Aaron Stowe
Discussion points
How do you think Alex felt when he was labeled as Unwanted? How would you feel in his place?
What role does creativity play in the world of The Unwanteds? Can you think of a situation where creativity helped solve a problem?
Discuss the relationship between Alex and Aaron. How do their interactions reflect their personal struggles and beliefs?
How do the leaders on the island of Artime use their power? What do you think makes a good leader?
If you could possess any magical power like the characters in the book, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book’s themes, relating them to personal experiences or current events. This helps deepen their understanding and empathy.
Use the creative elements of the story, such as the magical spells and creatures, as a springboard for imaginative play or art projects related to the book.
Discuss the differences and similarities between the worlds of Quill and Artime to enhance critical thinking about the societies and their rules.
Highlight the importance of choice and consequence in the book to promote discussions about moral and ethical decisions in real life.
After finishing the book, encourage your child to predict what might happen in the next book of the series, fostering excitement and anticipation for continued reading.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The power of creativity
Explanation: In 'The Unwanteds', creativity is the central theme, as children deemed 'unwanted' discover their creative abilities in a magical world. These abilities lead to success and survival.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to embrace their unique creative talents and think innovatively in both academic and personal aspects.
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: The protagonist, Alex, builds strong, supportive friendships that help overcome challenges. These bonds emphasize trust, support, and collaborative problem solving.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of building and maintaining positive relationships, and how teamwork can often lead to better solutions.
Example Lesson: Overcoming adversity
Explanation: Characters in the book face various challenges but learn to overcome them through resilience and determination.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand that facing difficulties is a part of life and that perseverance and courage are key to overcoming these obstacles.
Example Lesson: The importance of choice and consequences
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters make choices that have significant consequences. This underlines the importance of decision-making.
Real-World Application: Aids in teaching children that their choices matter and can lead to various outcomes, encouraging thoughtful decision-making.
Example Lesson: Respecting differences
Explanation: The story portrays a world where people are segregated by their qualities. It demonstrates how acceptance and embracing differences enrich everyone's experiences.
Real-World Application: Promotes inclusivity and respect for diversity, helping children appreciate and celebrate differences in others in their own communities.