The Hunger Games

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008.

Annotation: Peeta and Katniss are tributes of the Capitol of Panem’s yearly Hunger Games. They fight each other and 22 others to the death as it plays out on TV as entertainment.

Book Talk:

Katniss has been taking care of her family since her dad died, sneaking out of District 12 with her friend Gale to hunt for food. At 16 she’s managed to stay out of the Hunger Games set by the Capitol of Panem, but when her sister Primrose is picked as the tribute Katniss volunteers in her place. She joins Peeta as the tribute to District 12 to fight to death against 22 others, all while the Capitol and other districts watch for sport. With greater survival skills than others can Katniss avoid being killed and can she find it in herself to kill others? Can she be a pawn in this twisted game? Read this first book of an increasingly popular trilogy to find out if Katniss’ rebellious spirit helps her win the Hunger Games or if it leads to her demise.

Awards:

Amelia Bloomer List, 2009

ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 2009

ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2009

Cybils Award (Fantasy and Science Fiction - Young Adult), 2008

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, 2008

Locus Recommended Reading - Young Adult, 2008

A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book, 2008

Image credit: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Trilogy Order: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay

This book’s popularity led to the making of a movie. The book is ALWAYS better than the movie, but take a look at the movie trailer to see what all the hype is about!

A Wrinkle in Time

L’Engle, Madeline. A Wrinkle in Time. New York: Dell Publishing, 1962.

Annotation: Meg, her brother Charles Wallace and their friend Calvin find out their peculiar differences make them a part of a world beyond their understanding with time travel and indescribable evil.

Book Talk:

Meg and her younger brother Charles Wallace are looked at by others like there is something not quite right about them. In fact, there is- Charles Wallace understands his gift more than Meg and together with their new friend Calvin they embark on a journey guided by Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Whatist to defeat the Black Thing and find their father, a scientist who’s been on a secret mission. This is how they encounter IT- a powerful force that holds all the people on the planet of Camazotz in ITS control and pushes to do the same to them…

“As she cried out the words she felt a mind moving in on her own, felt IT seizing, squeezing her brain. Then she realized that Charles Wallace was speaking, or being spoken through by IT…she felt her stubborn control slip. Red fog glazed her eyes…”

What kind of “gift” does it take to travel through time, encountering planets with odd creatures and most dreadfully IT- and why do Mrs. Which and Company think a few kids can defeat such powerful evil. More importantly what happens if they can’t? Find out in A Wrinkle in Time.

Awards:

Newbery Medal Book, 1963

American Library Association Notable Children's Books

Horn Book Magazine Fanfare List  

Image credit: http://us.macmillan.com

The Time Series has a total of 5 books!

The Outsiders

Hinton, S.E. The Outsiders. New York: Puffin Books, 1997, c1967.

Annotation: Ponyboy Curtis and the rest of the Greaser gang discover the tribulations of friendship, loss, and growing up after a fight with a rival gang leads to murder.

Book Review:

Clothes, money, social status, attitude, hair and stereotypes often define which gang or clique you are a part of in high school. As for Ponyboy and his friends they’re known as Greasers and they take pride in their style especially their signature greasy hair. Pulled together from different backgrounds the Greasers friendship stems from acceptance and knows no boundaries. When a seemingly normal night turns into a fight with their rival the Socs, both gangs are changed forever. With one Soc dead and one Greaser a murderer individuals from each begin to discover that appearances are deceiving. S.E. Hinton’s timeless story explores real emotions felt by everyone regardless of their clique. Issues with absent parents, identity, death, fear, vulnerability, and a need to fit in consume these teenagers and friendships help push them through. Not your average happy ending The Outsiders reminds you that everybody has a story and like one of the Socs said, “Things are rough all over.”

Awards:

New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Books List, 1967
Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor Book, 1967
Media and Methods Maxi Award, 1975
ALA Best Young Adult Books, 1975
Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, 1979

Image credit: http://titlepeek.fsc.follett.com

Check out this book trailer with audio clips from the author, S.E. Hinton!