The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is by Suzanne Collins. Set in what's left of North America in a nation called Panem, the Capitol is a harsh government that keeps outlying districts in control by forcing each district to send two teens to participate in "The Hunger Games", where the "tributes" fight to the death on live television. Sixteen-year-old Katniss steps forward to take her sister's place in the games and finds herself fighting for her life. A thought provoking and action packed series. Boys and girls alike will devour this trilogy. Adults can't help thinking of Orwell, Rand, or Wells as they read these books.

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (some mature thematic content).  

Thirsty

Thirsty is by M.T. Anderson. Chris discovers he is turning into a vampire. He is approached by Chet, a supposed member of the Forces of Light, who promises to cure him of his vampirism and make him human again if he will just do a "little favor" for the forces of good. Can Chet be trusted? Is he the good guy or the bad guy? Exactly what will Chris do to remain a human? A strange and intense story boys will enjoy.

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity).

The World Above

The World Above is by Cameron Dokey. An imaginative re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk. Jack is not an only child, he has a twin sister Gen. Jack and his family come from the world above. His father, the Duke Roland, was murdered and his kingdom taken over. His wife escaped to the world below where Gen and Jack were born. Now that Jack has traded the cow for some magic beans, he and Gen are going home to reclaim their inheritance. Another stellar installment in the Once Upon a Time series.

Ratings - 6th grade - 9 out of 10.

Open Season

Open Season is by C.J. Box. The first of the Joe Pickett novels. Joe Pickett is a low-paid over-worked Wyoming game warden with a wife and two daughters. When a local hunter staggers into his yard and dies, Joe finds himself involved in a mystery that endangers the life of the family he loves. Box creates a flawed but lovable hero we all can relate to. His depiction of Joe's young daughter Sheridan is extraordinarily well done. A mystery series all males will love. 

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - S (non graphic sexual references) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).

The Fire Thief Fights Back

The Fire Thief Fights Back is by Terry Deary. The final installment in the Fire Thief Trilogy finds Prometheus still looking for his hero. Back in Eden City he must join with Zeus against the Avenger and a whole plethora of Greek monsters to save the town. Will Prometheus find his hero and return to ancient Greece? A surprising conclusion to a fun and humorous trilogy.

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Mysterious Benedict Society

The Mysterious Benedict Society is by Trenton Lee Stewart. The opening book in a charming new series. When an add appears in a local newspaper asking gifted children to take a series of tests, four very special children find themselves embroiled in the adventure of their lives. They become part of the Mysterious Benedict Society and must go undercover in an institute for gifted children that may be involved in more than education. A great opening to a promising new series.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies is by William Golding. The classic tale of a group of young boys who when marooned on an island degenerate into anarchy. A must read tale that is as tragic and provocative as it is beautifully written. All of us see parts of ourselves in Ralph, Jack, Piggy, and Roger. What are we really when the facade of civilization is scraped away? Golding plumbs the heights and horrifying depths of human nature.

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - MP (mild profanity) - V (violence).