Grand Canyon Reader Award
2015 · Tween · Nominee
About This Book
When Alex finds out he is Unwanted, he expects to die. That is the way of the people of Quill. Each year, all the thirteen-year-olds are labeled as Wanted, Necessary, or Unwanted. Wanteds get more schooling and train to join the Quillitary. Necessaries keep the farms running. Unwanteds are set for elimination.
It's hard for Alex to leave behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted, but he makes peace with his fate -- until he discovers that instead of a "death farm," what awaits him is a magical place called Artime. There, Alex and his fellow Unwanteds are encouraged to cultivate their creative abilities and use them magically. 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 divided 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.
It's hard for Alex to leave behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted, but he makes peace with his fate -- until he discovers that instead of a "death farm," what awaits him is a magical place called Artime. There, Alex and his fellow Unwanteds are encouraged to cultivate their creative abilities and use them magically. 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 divided 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.
Series Placement
Book 1
Awards
Nutmeg Book Award
2015 · Intermediate · Nominee
Nutmeg Book Award
2015 · Intermediate · Winner
Volunteer State Book Award
2015 · Intermediate · Nominee
California Young Reader Medal
2014 · Intermediate · Winner
Golden Sower Award
2014 · Intermediate · Nominee
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award
2014 · Grades 6-8 · Nominee
Beehive Award
2013 · Fiction · Nominee
Iowa Children's Choice (ICCA) Award
2013 · Children's · Nominee
Maine Student Book Award
2013 · Grades 4-8 · Second Place
Mark Twain Readers Award
2013 · Grades 4-6 · Winner
Massachusetts Children's Book Award
2013 · Children's Book · Nominee
Great Stone Face Book Award
2012 · Grades 4-6 · Nominee
