The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

Book Description:
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 Artimé. 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 Artim that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate magical battle.

My Thoughts:
Ok, I adore this book.  Alex and all the other Unwanteds of Quill completely expect to die.  Alex has a twin brother, Aaron who is wanted.  When the Unwanteds are 13, they are shipped out to the death farmer and he is supposed to eliminate them.    When they are to be eliminated, the children are shocked to find a whole new world filled with everything that Quill banned.  The new world is everything that Quill is not allowed to be.
I started this one thinking I would just deal with it for the kids' sake as we rode around in the car.  Turns out that I loved the story.  Alex is so softhearted and is kinda getting the raw end of the deal.  He was saved by Mr. Today like all the others but he isn't advancing so it is making him a little crazy.  Not to mention he wants to save his brother from his life in Quill.  I liked getting to see both brother's thoughts and points of view, though it didn't really make me like Aaron at all.  The author did a wonderful job with the story and the characters.  They are characters that I want to go back and spend more time with!
It was a 5/5 and we are moving on to book 2 now :)