Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of death and graphic violence.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your initial reaction to the world Neal Shusterman created, where death has been conquered but population control requires professional “gleaners”? Did your response change as the novel progressed? How does Shusterman’s world compare to other dystopias—e.g., in Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games?

2. Shusterman explores the concept of immortality and its consequences in Scythe, similar to how he examines body harvesting in Unwind. If you have read both novels, how do they compare in their exploration of life, death, and ethical dilemmas? If this was your first experience with Shusterman, are you interested in reading more?

3. Which philosophical question raised by the gleaning journals resonated with you most? Consider how these journal entries shaped your understanding of different scythes.

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Describe a situation in your life where compassion became both a strength and a challenge, similar to what Citra and Rowan experience as apprentices.

2.