The Hunger Games

       The Hunger Games. It probably rings a bell. Ever seen the movie? Of course. Ever read the book? If you have, you're lucky. If not, just don't get me started! It is a very imaginative book, about America in the future. What if, all the states waged a civil war against each other? What if, they are all divided into districts, with one emerging as the victor and the richest among them, leaving the rest to starve and lead a pitiful life? That is what Suzanne Collins portrays in the book. The Hunger Games is the condition that the winning district enforced on the rest. Each year, every district has to make a raffle for each child from ages 12 to 18. They would then draw, choosing a boy and a girl. The two children would then have to fight against the other children to the death. The last person remaining in the arena would be declared the victor. Katniss Everdeen, aged 16, has survived so far, but this year, the year Primrose (Prim), her sister turned 12, she watches in rapt silence as Prim is picked. As her whole world comes crashing down. Then blindly, she runs up to the stage and volunteers in place of her sister, along with her counterpart, Peeta Mellark. They go through a series of styling and getting ready for the Hunger Games. During the Games, she finds allies, watches sadly as they are killed, and almost gets killed herself. In the end, only she and Peeta are alive. Who do you think will win? This book is a book that is of course, more than worthwhile to read. It would be suitable for kids 10+. Go on, pick it up! :)

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

      I'm sure that you have learned a lot from History class, perhaps about US history? If you have, or haven't, you should anyways know about the Salem Witch Trials. Otherwise known as the Water Trials. It was a time of great unrest for women living in the States. If they put "one toe out of line", they would be accused of practicing witchcraft and eventually executed. This story, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, written by Elizabeth George Speare, is absolutely about those tough times. Katherine (Kit) Tyler, ships herself to the United States to live with her aunty and uncle, after her grandfather dies, leaving her with tons of money, but no family. When she reaches, she is warmly welcomed my her aunty and cousins, but shunned by her uncle. She is naive and wild spirited, which causes suspicion all over the town. Further, she refuses to go to church, and accidentally upsets officials by disrupting her cousin's dame school. The last straw is when she is found befriending an accused witch, who she finds out to only be a harmless, sweet, old woman. She stands in court waiting for the blow to fall, when she is saved in the nick of time. In this Newberry Awarded book, many minor adventures take place, while rich Mr. William asks for the hand of Kit in marriage, which she promptly refuses (I'm sure you guessed that) :). The story ends on a happy note, but it reminds America of the horrors that it placed onto women at the time. It is surely a good read for all ages!

By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

        Have you ever heard of Paulo Coelho? You probably might have. He has written a lot of books, including this one, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept. It takes place in Europe, with two main characters, a young woman named Pilar, who has never gone out of her village, and her long lost childhood friend, who now travels the world, giving sermons and seminars. He loves her very much and asks her to visit him once. She obliges, but a single day visit turns into a week, and longer. It is a sentimental type of story, which involves religion as much as romance. 
      Coelho is the kind of author who takes small things, and writes about them, giving them a lot of importance. This book is the type that is said to have a "reader's hook", because it captivates you within its folds. It explains things about religion and love in a strange way; during Pilar and her friend's long journey through the Pyrenees mountains of France. The book fully takes place as Pilar's recollection of her time with her lover. It would probably be suitable for teenagers (I know, even I'm not that old). 
     It is written in first person (Pilar).

Gone

         One day you are sitting in your cozy classroom in the middle of math class. You blink. When you open your eyes again, the teacher has disappeared. Poofed. Gone.

        This book by Michael Grant is one of the best. Read on to find out more!

        That's exactly what happens to all the adults and kids above 15, but only in Perdido Beach.  Plus, there is an invisible barrier that prevents anyone from coming out or going in. Sam, the main character, along with Astrid, a really intelligent girl, tries to just keep a low profile until things settle down, but there is a problem. Caine. He and the other kids from the posh Coates Academy have arrived to take over the kids from town. A few people realize that even before the barrier came, some kids have had special powers which they use to destroy each other; Caine's being the strongest. Animals develop strange mutations that cause their behavior to go out of control, while Astrid confesses that she thinks that her autistic brother, Little Pete, might have caused the barrier (nicknamed FAYZ). It is the type of book from which you cannot take your eyes off. I would categorize it as an Adventurous Fiction, with a hint of romance involved. I'd say for kids 10-11+ who enjoy this genre, it would be a suitable book. Oh, by the way, the following sequels are Hunger, Lies, Plague, Fear, and Light.