World in the Novel
What was the name of the set of laws that ended the Second Civil War in the book?
The Bill of Life
How old is Connor at the start of the novel?
16
What instrument does Risa play at the recital in Chapter 2?
piano
What is the word "StaHo" short for?
What were people fighting over in the Second Civil War?
reproductive rights/abortion
What are two reasons why Connor's parents may have decided to have him unwound?
- did badly at school
- bad behaviour
- bad temper
- got into fights with parents and other kids
- in and out of disciplinary school
What are two reasons why the state has decided that Risa will be unwound?
- she has "reached her potential" at the orphanage
- her grades at school are respectable, but not excellent
- she is talented at music, but not extremely talented
- there is not enough space or money for all the kids who are wards of the state
- orphans are only guaranteed places in state homes until they are 13
What do they call the places where teens are sent to be unwound?
harvest camps
What are police officers who are in charge of catching teens who are running from being unwound called?
Juvey cops
When was Connor's family planning to go on vacation to the Bahamas, and why?
The day after Connor was sent to be unwound, to get over their guilt and make themselves feel better about their decision
What do the adults in the room say when Risa says that unwinding is equal to dying?
They say that is untrue and she is going to live, just in a different way, and that saying unwinding is death is inflammatory.
Why does Josias Aldridge do card tricks for Connor?
To show that his hand/arm were not his own - they were transplanted from an unwind after he lost his own arm in an accident.
Between what ages can parents choose to unwind a child?
13-18
How does Connor's classmate, Andy, help save his life?
He gives himself up to the police to make sure they don't turn around and see Connor.
Why is Samson, the boy Risa meets on the bus, okay with the idea of being unwound?
He thinks he is useless as he is, and if his organs are transplanted into others, at least he has the potential to be useful or even great in some way.
What is a boeuf?
A teen who is trained to be part of the military
Why did people who were pro-life (against abortion) support the "solution" of unwinding?
They argued that the teen is still "alive" after being unwound because all their organs are being used by others.
Why do the police start shooting tranquilizer bullets at Connor?
He runs across a busy highway to try to escape his father and the juvey cops.
How does the bus that is taking Risa to be unwound end up in an accident?
The bus swerves to avoid hitting two kids who have caused a traffic jam by racing across the highway.
What does Risa decide to do once the bus she is on crashes?
Run away