Scythe

Set in a future where death has been conquered, this dystopian novel follows Citra and Rowan, teens chosen to be trained as Scythes—the people who are chosen to kill others to keep population growth under control. The two must learn how to kill and how to deal with the ethical and moral aspects of choosing death for another human being. The novel deals with a variety of social issues and ethical dilemmas and provides opportunities for discussion and debate. Suitable as a class, independent, or literature circle novel for grades 9-12.