Literal Understanding
Name two ways Connor shows leadership in these chapters
He takes charge during their escape
Protects Risa and baby
Made decisions under pressure (hiding in the bathroom)
What does the concept of being 'unwound' say about how society values life?
Society values usefulness over humanity — people are treated as spare parts.
Reflects themes of control, morality, and fear of imperfection.
Draw or describe a symbol (object) that represents Connor, Risa, or Lev.
Connor: clenched fist, broken chain, or flame (defiance).
Risa: musical note, steady heartbeat (logic, creativity, control).
Lev: cracked halo or split cross (loss of faith, inner conflict).
Predict what will happen if Connor, Risa, and Lev get separated again.
Connor and Risa might survive using their teamwork.
Lev could be captured or fall back into the system due to his inner conflict.
Why is Risa skeptical of adults and the system?
She grew up in the state home system, which treated kids as disposable.
She’s seen adults prioritize rules and politics over compassion or fairness.
How are freedom and control shown in these chapters?
Freedom: Connor and Risa fight to make their own choices.
Control: The government and parents decide who lives or dies via unwinding.
Create a 'news headline' that could appear in this world.
“Runaway Unwinds Cause Panic in Local School!”
“Tithing Ceremony Interrupted by Terror!”
Which character shows the most growth?
Lev: transitions from obedient tithe to questioning rebel.
Connor: learns to think before acting.
Risa: grows more compassionate toward Connor’s impulsiveness.
Describe how Lev’s attitude toward being tithed changes.
Initially, he believes it’s his holy duty to be unwound.
After seeing the chaos and fear around him, he starts questioning his beliefs and feels betrayed by Pastor Dan and his parents.
Which character do you trust the most so far, and why?
Risa because she’s practical and honest.
Connor is impulsive but loyal
Lev is unpredictable
Make a 10-second 'trailer line' for these chapters
“Three teens on the run—one choice between freedom or dissection.”
“In a world where life is negotiable, survival is rebellion.”
How does the author use tension and pacing to make the escape feel real?
Short chapters, cliffhangers, shifting points of view
Action-driven scenes mixed with emotional introspection.
Where do Connor and Risa hide after escaping?
They hide in a school during the commotion and later use various abandoned areas to stay out of sight.
What do you think the author wants readers to question about fairness or justice?
Whether laws that seem “right” can still be morally wrong.
How society justifies cruelty through legal loopholes
Write a text message exchange between Connor and Risa.
Risa: “You shouldn’t have grabbed me.”
Connor: “You’d be unwound now if I hadn’t.”
Risa: “Maybe. But now we both are.
Compare the world of Unwind to ours
Reflects issues like body autonomy, government control, and moral hypocrisy.
Questions how society treats youth and “undesirable” groups
What is the role of the “Baby” scene, and what does it reveal about the world they live in?
The abandoned baby shows how normalized it has become to “stork” unwanted children.
It reveals the moral decay and apathy of society toward life.
If you were Lev at this point, what choice would you make and why?
Refuse to be unwound
Torn between loyalty and survival
Create a short skit reenacting a key scene
Ideas: the baby scene, hiding in the school, Connor saving Lev, or Lev’s betrayal
If you could change one event, what would it be and why?
Prevent Levs betrayal
Taking the baby