Wild Bird

Wild Bird
by
 Wendelin Van Draanen

From the publisher:
"3:47 a.m. That's when they come for Wren Clemens. She's hustled out of her house and into a waiting car, then a plane, and then taken on a forced march into the desert. This is what happens to kids who've gone so far off the rails, their parents don't know what to do with them any more. This is wilderness therapy camp. 

The Wren who arrives in the Utah desert is angry and bitter, and blaming everyone but herself. But angry can't put up a tent. And bitter won't start a fire. Wren's going to have to admit she needs help if she's going to survive. 

In her most incisive and insightful book yet, beloved author Wendelin Van Draanen's offers a remarkable portrait of a girl who too a wrong turn and got lost--but who may be able to find her way back again in the vast, harsh desert."

This book touched me deeply, and I think it is an important book for teens to read. It realistically explores the importance of choices, big and small, and the consequences that come from them. The author somehow makes us care about a 14 year old girl who is completely out of control and very unlikable. But I started reading Wren's story and couldn't stop until it was over. It is a harsh, heartbreaking story of survival and redemption. Last year I read the book Connect the Stars, and was put off by the portrayal of the wilderness camp as a poorly run and dangerous thing for any parent to send their child to. But the program in Wild Bird is a well-run and life changing event. I have a feeling it is based on the Anasazi program in Utah. There were no punitive methods, it was all natural consequences. Wren refused to listen to how to build her shelter? She had a very wet and miserable night. She refused to read her handbook and try making a fire? She ate dry rice and beans for a couple of days. The camp had many caring adults, constant contact with base camp, counselors, mentors and great skill teaching. 8 weeks in this program would completely change anyone. Having been a counselor at a girl's camp for many years, I have seen the growth, the friendships, and the transformation that can happen in just one week. I can only imagine what could be accomplished in 8 weeks of extreme survival and near-solitude. There is something about testing yourself in nature that teaches you a lot about who you are. Wren slowly went from a hate-filled, angry, immature 14 year old, to a young woman who knew who she wanted to be, and it was very different from what she thought. Whether or not these changes can be maintained in the old environment is the question, but I thought the author dealt with that beautifully as well, and we can only hope it all works out for Wren. 
A couple of quotes that are worth sharing both come from a part towards the end of the wilderness program called "The Quest", where a camper (or inmate, as Wren likes to say) is taken away from the others and has to fend for themselves for 3 days. 
Solitude and nature.... an amazing combination.

And then suddenly, unexpectedly, tickling me from inside, I recognize a long-lost feeling. The one I looked for whenever I got stoned or drunk. The one I tried to corner by outsmarting Anabella, my parents, Meadow. The one that kept drifting past me, promising me I would find it right....over...there.
And here, now, tickling the pit of my stomach, pinging to life in my heart, the feeling has found me? I'm filthy, alone in the desert, making food in the dirt, and somehow, against everything I've said and thought and expected, it's found me?
I laugh out loud. It's so ironic.
But there it is.
Happiness.
Happiness from inside. 

And later, while gazing at the stars she thinks, 

I want to be someone who remembers the stars, even in daylight.
I want to be someone who looks up. 

Please read this book! It is not a fluffy beach read, it is by turns disturbing, heart wrenching, and beautiful. You will think about it for a long time. Thank you, Wendelin Van Draanen!

Areas of concern (all dealt with as poor choices and not glorified in any way):
*Very underage drinking and smoking pot.
*A 14 year old making out with an 18 year old.
*Shoplifting and stealing from parents.
*Damaging beloved property.
*Drug running.

Suggested Ages:

Publisher's Weekly - Ages 12+

School Library Journal - Grades 8+

I'll Be There

I'll Be There
by Holly Goldberg Sloan

From the publisher:
"Emily Bell believes in destiny. To her, being forced to sing a solo in the church choir--despite her average voice--is fate: because it's while she's singing that she first sees Sam. At first sight, they are connected.


Sam Border wishes he could escape, but there's nowhere for him to run. He and his little brother, Riddle, have spent their entire lives constantly uprooted by their unstable father. That is, until Sam sees Emily. That's when everything changes.


As Sam and Riddle are welcomed into the Bells' lives, they witness the warmth and protection of a family for the first time. But when tragedy strikes, they're left fighting for survival in the desolate wilderness, and wondering if they'll ever find a place where they can belong. Beautifully written and emotionally profound, I'll Be There is a gripping story that explores the complexities of teenage passions, friendships, and loyalties."

I was obsessed with this book once I got into it and could not put it down. The writing seemed a little bit off at the beginning, but once I got sucked into the story I didn't care, and now I can't even remember why the writing bothered me at the beginning. And, I might add, I have had the song I'll Be There stuck in my head for 2 days now. Luckily it's a great song! I think it is very cool that it plays an integral part in the story and wasn't just a random title for the book.

This is one of those books that has it all. Pathos, romance, humor, wilderness survival, high school drama and spine-tingling suspense. My feelings were all over the place with this one. My heart broke for Sam and Riddle on just about every page. I was so furious with their father that I desperately wanted a fatal accident to befall him. I wanted to hug Tom and Debbie Bell for their kind and wise parenting. I was very nervous about the oily Bobby Ellis, yet he made me laugh over and over again. (Kind of envisioning a Carrieprom king scene for a brief moment.) 

One thing I loved about this book is that it begins with a story about how everything is connected and how minor incidents can change the course of major life events. Then the book ends with different paragraphs about very secondary characters and how their lives were changed by the minor interactions they had with our main characters. That was really interesting. It makes you think about what minor incidents have changed the course of your own life. 

My one drawback was that there were very few instances where we were able to see Sam and Emily's connection. We were told there was a deep connection, but had very little to go on to see that for ourselves. However, that was a minor quibble. I definitely recommend this book and I think it will have a huge readership at our library. 

Areas of concern: (This was a really clean read for a young adult novel with intense situations. I was impressed.)
*About 4 or 5 uses of the *d* word. 
*An incredibly abusive and neglectful father.
*Intense survival scenes.
*Talk of going to the Motel 6 after prom, but the main character leaves after this is mentioned.
*A few mild kisses.
*A best friend tells the main character that she needs to hook up with a guy.
*A stalker who ingratiates himself into the main character's life.

Suggested Ages:

Publisher's Weekly - Ages 12+

School Library Journal - Grades 7+
(Booklist puts this one at grades 9-12.  There are definitely intense situations, so sensitive middle schoolers may need to stay away from it.)

The Distance Between Lost and Found

The Distance Between
Lost and Found
by Kathryn Holmes

From the publisher:
"Ever since the night of the incident with Luke Willis, the preacher’s son, sophomore Hallelujah Calhoun has been silent. When the rumors swirled around school, she was silent. When her parents grounded her, she was silent. When her friends abandoned her … silent.

Now, six months later, on a youth group retreat in the Smoky Mountains, Hallie still can’t find a voice to answer the taunting. Shame and embarrassment haunt her, while Luke keeps coming up with new ways to humiliate her. Not even meeting Rachel, an outgoing newcomer who isn’t aware of her past, can pull Hallie out of her shell. Being on the defensive for so long has left her raw, and she doesn’t know who to trust.

On a group hike, the incessant bullying pushes Hallie to her limit. When Hallie, Rachel, and Hallie’s former friend Jonah get separated from the rest of the group, the situation quickly turns dire. Stranded in the wilderness, the three have no choice but to band together.

With past betrayals and harrowing obstacles in their way, Hallie fears they’ll never reach safety. Could speaking up about the night that changed everything close the distance between being lost and found? Or has she traveled too far to come back? "

I literally could not stop reading this book once I started it. My heart and my interest were won at the very beginning. My heart broke for Hallelujah, and I totally understood her. The good girl who had always done what was right and then one incident and one disgusting, deceitful, popular boy ruined her reputation and pretty much her whole life. I could see myself reacting the same way Hallie did - withdrawing from everyone and becoming incredibly angry that everyone actually believed the disgusting, deceitful, popular boy. 

There is really something for everyone in this book. It is an exciting survival story, it is a coming-of-age story, it is a story of identity - what makes us who we are, it is a story of forgiveness, it is a story of redemption. There is also vile bullying and a sweet romance. Probably the thing I like the best was how REAL it was. There wasn't a quick oh-you're-forgiven-for-everything scene, the issue of forgiveness resurfaced many times. The kids were on a youth group trip and while they were lost and suffering, they discussed God and how they felt about the whole concept. There was no saccharine sweet sappiness about it, there were questions and concerns and true feelings about how God could be letting this happen to them. However, I wouldn't classify this as a Christian book, it was just about kids who happened to be on a youth group trip and got lost. I also loved one conversation where Hallie asked Jonah why he never cursed - especially given the situation they were in. He talked about his father, who "curses up a storm when he's not in church", or his friends, who curse all the time when there are no adults around. He said:

“I know too many people who are one thing when they think it matters and another thing the rest of the time. And I don’t want to be like that . So I don’t curse at all. It’s like —what you see is what you get.” 

Words to live by from a teenage boy.

Because of the real feelings that are evoked in this book, I think middle school kids will love it - I know I did. The title is so perfect for the book - "lost" and "found" have several different meanings in it. I will definitely be watching for more by this author - this was her debut novel. Well done!

Areas of concern:
*A few curse words.
*Mysterious "incident" with a boy that has ruined a girl's life. The "incident" is finally explained in detail, but it doesn't go too far.
*Intense, non-physical bullying.
*Scary survival situations.

Suggested Ages:

Publisher's Weekly - Ages 13+
School Library Journal - Grades 7+

In The After

In The After
by Demitria Lunetta

From the publisher:
"They hear the most silent of footsteps.
They are faster than anything you've ever seen.
And They won't stop chasing you...until you are dead.

Amy is watching TV when it happens, when the world is attacked by Them. These vile creatures are rapidly devouring mankind. Most of the population is overtaken, but Amy manages to escape—and even rescue “Baby,” a toddler left behind in the chaos. Marooned in Amy’s house, the girls do everything they can to survive—and avoid Them at all costs.

After years of hiding, they are miraculously rescued and taken to New Hope, a colony of survivors living in a former government research compound. While at first the colony seems like a dream with plenty of food, safety, and shelter, New Hope slowly reveals that it is far from ideal. And Amy soon realizes that unless things change, she’ll lose Baby—and much more.

Rebellious, courageous, and tender, this unforgettable duo will have you on the edge of your seat as you tear through the pulse-pounding narrow escapes and horrifying twists of fate in this thrilling debut from author Demitria Lunetta."

Let me start by saying that I don't usually like alien invasion/zombie infestation books.  I could name off several that other people loved and I did not:  The 5th Wave , The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Ashes, and so on.  So it came as a great surprise to me that I really liked this book. Maybe it was because I never felt completely hopeless.  In all of the others, I lost all hope for the puny humans and knew that however the books were resolved (I never finished the series), it would be completely unrealistic.  Okay, I realize there is nothing realistic about any alien invasion/zombie apocalypse book, but somehow In the After made it feel possible. 

The book is divided into 2, possibly 3 parts.  There is explanation of the character's life in The Before (a very short part in the beginning and then told through flashbacks and memories), then there is her survival and finding of Baby in The After, and then comes the part in New Hope.  I found all three parts fascinating.  Amy is a heroine to root for, she is smart, sassy, loyal and just keeps on ticking no matter the horrors that keep coming at her.  I loved Baby and the silent, yet completely dependant and trusting relationship they formed.  At times while reading this, I would become very aware of the noise I was making while walking through the house or doing dishes or whatever.  How hard would it be to live in complete silence?  I found it interesting how the author portrayed that through Amy and Baby's interaction with Amber. 

New Hope was intriguing, and I for one didn't see what was coming (although several other reviewers said they did).  This was an exciting, fast, and breathtaking read.  I was invested in the characters and cared about what happened to them.  I understand this is just a duology, so we should get questions answered and have resolution after just one more book.

Areas of concern:

Very few cuss words.

Attempted rape.

Disgusting and violent alien/zombie creatures.

Evil dictator.

Suggested Ages:

Booklist - Grades 7-12

Kirkus Reviews - Ages 13+

Life (Citizens of Logan Pond, #1)

Life
(Citizens of Logans Pond)
by Rebecca Belliston

From the publisher:
"Her home. Her parents. Her freedom. Gone. 
His dreams. His sister. Himself. Lost.
Two people.
One future.

The economy crashed, the country is floundering, and Carrie Ashworth struggles to keep her siblings alive. She has two jobs in her newly-formed, newly-outlawed clan: grow crops to feed thirty-six people, and maintain contact with Oliver Simmons, their local patrolman. Carrie’s life is almost content when Greg Pierce shows up. A man with the ambition to help them survive. A man determined to hate her.

Greg sets to work devising systems to protect the clan from the new regime, but it doesn't take long to realize the true reason for their safety. Patrolman Simmons has fallen for Carrie. When a government raid nearly wipes out their clan, Greg takes it upon himself to give the socially-awkward patrolman what he wants. Only Carrie doesn’t like Greg throwing her in Simmons' path, especially when Greg’s brusque exterior melts and she catches a glimpse of the real man underneath. Carrie is forced to choose: follow her heart or save her clan.

Life won't let her choose both."

It's hard to review this book because I was so immersed in it that I felt like I was living it. I was scared, I was heartbroken, I was cold when it snowed, I was in pain when the main character was hurting, I missed my parents; but I also loved my neighbors, felt joy at new growth, and loved the sunshine. To me that means that this was an amazing book. At one point while reading, I actually stood up to put my light jacket on and go to work when I said to myself, "Oh this isn't a warm enough coat when it is snowing outside". It was 60 degrees at the time, but it was snowing in the book. That's how in thrall I was while reading.
I loved the main character, Carrie. She was so good, loving, loyal, innocent and giving. I wish I was more like her. It made me wonder how I would react given the same circumstances. I will say that I'm still not sold on the main love interest - he is such a jerk at the beginning. I understand that he has gone through horrors in his life, but he is very cold-hearted at the beginning and I had a hard time getting over that.
I found the whole premise of the book a little scary because it felt like something that could really happen. A lot of the dystopian/post-apocalyptic books I have read have dealt with things like a pandemic, nuclear holocaust, alien invasion... This one simply had the dollar fail. There was a run on the banks - the banks failed. The government took over in a drastic way. Yikes! Maybe that was one of the reasons it was so engrossing, because it felt like something that could really happen to me and my family. Anyway, this was a great book and I highly recommend it. Now we wait for book 2, entitled Liberty , and it is being released on the 4th of July. Pretty cool. And I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the final book in the trilogy will be called, The Pursuit of Happiness .

Areas of concern:
When I bought this book for our library, I thought it was a Young Adult novel. The book does begin with the main character being 17 years old, but then it fast-forwards 5 years, so it is actually not a YA book. However, it kind of had a YA feel to it, and it was very clean, so I am not concerned about having it in the library. In fact, several students have read it and really liked it.
There is no bad language.
There is some talk of girls needing to sell themselves to keep their families safe, but it is done in as non-offensive a way as possible.
There are intense situations where characters fear for their lives.
There are corrupt and very scary government officials.

Small As An Elephant

Small As An Elephant
by Jennifer R. Jacobson

From the publisher:
"Jack’s mom is gone, leaving him all alone on a campsite in Maine. Can he find his way back to Boston before the authorities realize what happened?

Ever since Jack can remember, his mom has been unpredictable, sometimes loving and fun, other times caught in a whirlwind of energy and "spinning" wildly until it’s over. But Jack never thought his mom would take off during the night and leave him at a campground in Acadia National Park, with no way to reach her and barely enough money for food. Any other kid would report his mom gone, but Jack knows by now that he needs to figure things out for himself - starting with how to get from the backwoods of Maine to his home in Boston before DSS catches on. With nothing but a small toy elephant to keep him company, Jack begins the long journey south, a journey that will test his wits and his loyalties - and his trust that he may be part of a larger herd after all."

I enjoyed this one. It was at times exciting, heartbreaking, and sweet. I very much cared what happened to Jack, I was disgusted with, yet sympathetic to his mentally-ill mother, and I loved getting a mini-tour of Maine. It was interesting to see the different characters who tried to help him. The only thing that I felt didn't come through enough was what and who exactly was Big Jack? I wish we could have delved a little deeper into who he was and why he was so concerned. I'm glad I read this sa I enjoyed this one. It was at times exciting, heartbreaking, and sweet. I very much cared what happened to Jack, I was disgusted with, yet sympathetic to his mentally-ill mother, and I loved getting a mini-tour of Maine. It was interesting to see the different characters who tried to help him. The only thing that I felt didn't come through enough was what and who exactly was Big Jack? I wish we could have delved a little deeper into who he was and why he was so concerned. All in all, though, I'm glad I read this sad but uplifting little book.  Suggested Ages: Kirkus Reviews - Ages 10-14 School Library Journal - Grades 5-8

The 5th Wave

The 5th Waveby Rick Yancey

From the publisher:
"The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up."

There are a lot of people who love this book, so I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority here, but I didn't think it was that great. I really hated the hopeless feeling throughout the whole thing. There is no way the puny humans are going to be able to overcome the highly sophisticated aliens without some ridiculous plot twist, so why keep reading? I wasn't overly fond of the main character, Cassie, and the love story was kind of creepy since it involved someone she caught in lies over and over. I actually liked the Zombie parts best (character's name, not actual zombies or I wouldn't have finished the book), even though he was incredibly full of himself. I think Sammy was the only character I really liked. The story had moments of excitement and intensity, but it just wasn't for me.

Areas of concern:
Incredibly violent - mass killings; bodies, blood, guts and gore everywhere; children watching family members die...
Horrible language - I quit marking it because it was on either every page or every other page. It seemed to calm down a little past the middle, or else I was de-sensitized by then. Many uses of the "f" word and all the other bad words you can think of.

Suggested Ages:
Publisher's Weekly - Ages 14+
School Library Journal - Grades 9+
*I ordered this book for our library because of all the hype and before suggested ages were posted.  I'm not sure it is appropriate for middle school - definitely not below 8th grade.* 

The Testing

The Testing
by Joelle Charbonneau

From the publisher:
"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust."

I really enjoyed this book. The idea of the testing was intriguing, I felt very connected to the characters- even the secondary family members - and I thought the world building was really good. There was a lot of tension wondering who to trust and whether the main character was making the right decision. Is this book completely and totally original? No. But the dystopian genre is flooded with books that all resemble each other. There were similarities to other books in the genre, but there were...moreI really enjoyed this book. The idea of the testing was intriguing, I felt very connected to the characters- even the secondary family members - and I thought the world building was really good. There was a lot of tension wondering who to trust and whether the main character was making the right decision. Is this book completely and totally original? No. But the dystopian genre is flooded with books that all resemble each other. There were similarities to other books in the genre, but there were also some really original plot points, and the ending blew me away! How is everything going to work out? I'm very glad the next book in the trilogy is now out, and the last comes out in June. No waiting a whole year in between! I strongly recommend this one! Areas of concern: There is violence, but it wasn't as graphic or as intense as The Hunger Games or Divergent . There were a few kisses and a handful of cuss words.  Suggested Ages: Publisher's Weekly - Ages 12+ School Library Journal - Grades 7+

Navigating Early

Navigating Early
by Clare Vanderpool

From the publisher:
"New York Times Best Seller Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool, Newbery Medalist for Moon Over Manifest, is an odyssey-like adventure of two boys' incredible quest on the Appalachian Trail where they deal with pirates, buried secrets, and extraordinary encounters.

At the end of World War II, Jack Baker, a landlocked Kansas boy, is suddenly uprooted after his mother's death and placed in a boy's boarding school in Maine. There, Jack encounters Early Auden, the strangest of boys, who reads the number pi as a story and collects clippings about the sightings of a great black bear in the nearby mountains. Newcomer Jack feels lost yet can't help being drawn to Early, who won't believe what everyone accepts to be the truth about the Great Appalachian Bear, Timber Rattlesnakes, and the legendary school hero known as The Fish, who never returned from the war. When the boys find themselves unexpectedly alone at school, they embark on a quest on the Appalachian Trail in search of the great black bear. But what they are searching for is sometimes different from what they find. They will meet truly strange characters, each of whom figures into the pi story Early weaves as they travel, while discovering things they never realized about themselves and others in their lives."

I'm so glad that I read this book. It is a sweet and lovely story of Early Auden (that strangest of boys) and Jack Baker (the son of a WWII naval captain), as they go on a quest right after the end of World War II. They are each searching for different things. In our time, Early would be called an autistic savant. He was obsessed with the number pi - the numbers told him a story of a boy named Pi. The story of Pi is interwoven with the story of the boys. It sounds confusing, but it is woven together seamlessly. The boys have many adventures that mirror the adventures of Pi. This book is moving and uplifting. I didn't quite want to hug the book when I was done, but it was close.

Areas of concern: No language, no sexual situations. Wilderness adventures that put the boys in danger.  A story of a man who lost an eye in a fight with a bear, and another man who was burned and scarred. A boy gets shot and killed.

Suggested ages:
Kirkus Reviews:  Ages 10-14
School Library Journal:  Grades 6-9

Ashes

Ashes
by Ilsa J. Bick

From the publisher:
"It could happen tomorrow . . .

An electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions.
Alex hiked into the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out what happened after the pulse crushes her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom—a young soldier—and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP.

For this improvised family and the others who are spared, it’s now a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human.

Author Ilsa J. Bick crafts a terrifying and thrilling novel about a world that could be ours at any moment, where those left standing must learn what it means not just to survive, but to live amidst the devastation."

I really liked the first half of the book, and I felt like it could have been so much more. I almost quit several times after I got halfway through. The first part was very gripping and intense, I cared greatly for the characters and what happened to them, and then it just got disgusting.  I do have this disclaimer - I am NOT a zombie fan, so if you are you might have a completely different opinion on this book.  And zombies do seem to be the "it" thing right now.  This book was highly recommended by several reviewers, which is why I purchased it for our library. 
Usually 1st-in-a-series books leave you wanting more, this one left me wondering why I had wasted my time, and gave absolutely no closure and no answers.  Obviously setting up for a sequel, but I won't be wasting my time with that.   

Areas of concern:  This book was incredibly violent and had lots of bad language.

Suggested ages:  (all over the map, so I'll list all I could find)
Booklist:  Grades 7-10
Kirkus Reviews:  Ages 12-15
Publisher's Weekly:  Ages 14+
School Library Journal:  Grades 10+

Journey to the River Sea

Journey to the River Sea
by Eva Ibbotson

From the publisher:
"Sent in 1910 to live with distant relatives who own a rubber plantation along the Amazon River, English orphan Maia is excited. She believes she is in for brightly colored macaws, enormous butterflies, and "curtains of sweetly scented orchids trailing from the trees." Her British classmates warn her of man-eating alligators and wild, murderous Indians. Unfortunately, no one cautions Maia about her nasty, xenophobic cousins, who douse the house in bug spray and forbid her from venturing beyond their coiffed compound. Maia, however, is resourceful enough to find herself smack in the middle of more excitement than she ever imagined, from a mysterious "Indian" with an inheritance, to an itinerant actor dreading his impending adolescence, to a remarkable journey down the Amazon in search of the legendary giant sloth."

This wasn't a recent read, but we have it in our Blevins library and it remains one of my all-time favorite children's books.  It is slightly Dickensian in flavor, because the good people are very, very good, and the bad people are horrid.  It is set in the Amazon Rain Forest and has plenty of action and adventure.  The ending sees the good people rewarded and the bad ones getting what they deserved.  The writing is beautiful, the setting is gorgeous and exciting, the main character is strong and survives against all odds, and the plot is magical.  This would make a great family read.

Suggested ages:
Publisher's Weekly:  Ages 10+
School Library Journal:  Grades 5+

Breathe

Breathe
by Sarah Crossan

From the publisher:
"Inhale. Exhale. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe . . . The world is dead. The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

Alina has been stealing for a long time. She's a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she's never been caught before. If she's careful, it'll be easy. If she's careful.

Quinn should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it's also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn't every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her.

Bea wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they'd planned a trip together, the two of them, and she'd hoped he'd discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days' worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?"


After reading this, I take the air I breathe a little less for granted. The plot in this dystopian novel is built upon a world where people had used up the earth's resources so badly that oxygen levels are so low no one can breathe without air tanks or living in the "Pod". The people who control the oxygen in the Pod control all the people. It is told from 3 character's points of view. It was interesting to see the change that took place in the 3 characters throughout the course of the book. Alina softened up, Quinn grew up, and Bea had her eyes opened. It will be interesting to see where they go from here, because yes, it is the first book of either a trilogy or a series.

Areas of concern: 3 uses of the "d" word, 1 each of "h" word and "a" word. 2 instances of body part and bodily function crudities. Dystopian violence with several non-graphic deaths and one disturbing death where a 16 year old watches someone get killed by a family member. 3 or 4 kisses.

Suggested ages:
Booklist:  Grades 7-10
Kirkus Reviews:  Ages 12+

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
By Suzanne Collins

From the publisher:
"A chilling tale of survival from the New York Times bestselling author. In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the other districts in line by forcing them to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight-to-the-death on live TV. One boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and sixteen are selected by lottery to play. The winner brings riches and favor tohis or her district. But that is nothing compared to what the Capitol wins: one more year of fearful compliance with its rule. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her impoverished district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before - and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. Acclaimed writer Suzanne Collins, author of the New York Times bestselling Underland Chronicles, delivers equal parts suspense and philosophy, adventure and romance, in this stunning novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present."

Wow - intense. Once you get a little ways into it you simply can't put it down.  However, it is very violent and tragically sad. 

A few cuss words.  Some kissing.  Intense violence.  Disturbing themes of alcoholism, starvation...

Suggested ages:
Booklist - Grades 9-12
School Library Journal - Grades 7 +
*Mrs. Duke says - This book is incredibly popular in our library - the most checked out book.  However, my recommendation is that parents read it first or at least with their child because of the violence and mature themes contained in the book and series.*