Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Bibliography

Shusterman, N. (2017). Scythe. Simon & Schuster BFYR, Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9781442472426

Plot Summary

Living in a perfect world seems like the best possible scenario. No hunger, disease, war, or death due to old age or ailments. But not all things are as perfect as they seem. In the world Citra and Rowan live in, the position of a Scythe has been created. A Scythe takes the lives of people they feel are necessary to control the world population. To their chagrin, Citra and Rowan have been selected to become apprentices for Scythehood. As they both begin training, they soon struggle with their consciences and the emotional toll being a Scythe takes. An unknown future awaits them both - Who will be able to make it through the apprenticeship and be selected for Scythehood? Who can bear the heavy burden of a perfect world?

Critical Analysis

Scythe, written by author Neal Shusterman, is a dystopian, science-fiction novel. Set in MidMerica (Central America) in the year 2042, Shusterman reveals to the reader the story of the futuristic life of two main characters, Citra and Rowan. Living in this world where immortality is a possibility, so too is the burden of being the deliverer of death. Intertwined in this futuristic tale are themes that appeal to young adults such as love, death, excess, compassion, and making one's own choices. Young adult readers will become captivated by the ebb and flow of uncertainty and unimaginable situations.

Review Excerpt(s)

• Elegant and elegiac, brooding but imbued with gallows humor, Shusterman’s dark tale thrusts realistic, likable teens into a surreal situation and raises deep philosophic questions. A thoughtful and thrilling story of life, death, and meaning. - Kirkus

• A brilliant and gripping sci-fi thriller that acutely explores the consequences of worldwide immortality and asks readers to think critically about the nature of morality. School Library Journal

Connections

For additional activities related to the book:

• Cover: Come up with a new title for the story and change the cover art on the book. Explain your reasoning.
• Game: Create a board game based on the book. Design the layout, make the pieces, cards, and other components, and write clear instructions.

**Activities can be found at: 

http://www.bookrags.com/lessonplan/scythe-arc-of-a-scythe/#gsc.tab=0

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