The Unwanteds

• Genre: Fiction; middle grade fantasy
• Originally Published: 2011
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 880L; grades 3-7
• Structure/Length: 48 chapters; approx. 464 pages; approx. 7 hours, 20 minutes on audio
• Protagonist and Central Conflict: Alex and his twin brother, Aaron, live in an authoritarian state in which people with artistic talent are killed as Unwanteds. Instead of being killed, Alex is whisked to another world where art and magic flourish—but his continuing bond with Aaron and a looming war between the two worlds create problems.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Violence in an authoritarian state

Lisa McMann, Author

• Bio: Born 1968 in Michigan; decided in 4th grade to become a writer after a teacher praised a story she had written; has created several series for middle grade and young adult readers, including The Forgotten Five and The Unwanted Quests; also writes short stories; her first novel, WAKE, was a New York Times bestseller in children’s chapter books; lives with her husband in Tempe, Arizona
• Other Works: WAKE (2008); Cryer’s Cross (2011); The Unwanted Series, Books 2-7 (Book 7, 2017); Clarice the Brave (2021)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:

• Duality
• Authoritarianism
• Creativity

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:

• Develop an understanding of social and cultural aspects of the worlds “Artimé” and “Quill” that drive Alex’s conflict.