The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

As with most of the books I read, I came late to the wildly enthusiastic The Fault in Our Stars party but better late than never. The novel, written by John Green, came out in January 2012 to pretty much universal acclaim, climbing the bestseller charts both here and in the United Kingdom as well as earning a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice award.

Green is well-known for both his young adult books as well as his collaboration with his brother, Hank, the YouTube channel "Vlog Brothers," and the community that their online conversations have spawned, Nerd Fighters.

Anyways, back to the book. The Fault in Our Stars takes the trope of star-crossed lovers and transforms it into this astonishing lovely, heartbreaking piece of literature. It is Shakespearean in its execution, mixing romance, comedy, drama and philosophy into what is essentially a girl-meets-boy story. Except girl has Stage IV thyroid cancer and boy has already lost a leg to Osteosarcoma.

Yes, this is a book about kids with cancer. It's told through the eyes of the girl, 16-year-old Hazel Lancaster, who has to cart an oxygen tank with her wherever she goes. She meets the quick-witted, dashing Augustus Waters at cancer survivor support group. Their chemistry, apparent in their verbal exchanges (which are silly, sad and moving, sometimes all at the same time), is as certain as their diagnoses. As their friendship blossoms, we fall in love with the teenaged pair just as they fall in love with each other. They bond over Hazel's favorite book, An Imperial Affliction, which ultimately proves critical to how their own story plays out.

But let's face it. This is a book about kids with cancer. In our heart of hearts, we know, or at least suspect, what's coming. Green gives us an unflinching look at young love made all the more poignant by the vagaries of fate. This is a book for those ready for some intense feelings: Be ready to laugh, to cry, and to muse about mortality.

This could be you having fun at MMPL!

For the past few weeks at Moore Memorial Public Library, YA Librarian Luke has been busy with tons of fun stuff for teens to do as part of our annual Summer Reading Program. That's included a weekly session of "Board Games You've Never Played" (Check them out! We've got our final session this Friday from 2-5 p.m.!) as well as an some unique one-time events like "Bend It," an introduction to yoga, and "Splatter! Paint! Pop! Make Modern Art," a program that focused on paint styles and subjects like pointillism, drip art and geometric shapes.

Check out the videos below to see what we've been up to:

Glee: The Beginning bySophia Lowell YP FIC LOWELL

It’s a Glee-quel! Find out what was happening with all the kids and teachers at McKinley High before the show began. See how all the kids met and how Mr. Schuester got the inspiration to start New Directions in this funny look at the start of the glee world.

So there is good news and bad news Gleeks. This a funny book that captures the spirit of the show and the voices of the characters you love. Bad news: it totally messes with the canon of the show. The book has Mercedes, Kurt, Artie, Tina, and Rachel are all already in Glee with the inept Sandy Ryerson as the nearly non-existant coach. But wha? Didn’t the pilot episode clearly show all those characters rehearse to join New Directions without indicating they knew each other? Yeah, it is a MAJOR plothole and I was surprised the author could put it in there at all. If you can ignore the fact that it seems off that they were all in Glee together before they were in Glee together then this is a good book for the Gleeks out there. I don’t think it’s much of a read for non fans though, there are a lot of characters and without knowledge of the show it would be hard to care about the whole cast. I’m looking forward to the coming Glee books and hope they’ll be a little more careful about keeping them in sync with the show.

The Enemy by Charlie Higson YP FIC HIGSON

A terrible disease sweeps the world affecting everyone over the age of 16, killing most the adults on the planets. They were the lucky ones. The adults that don't die turn into rotting child eating monsters, hunting and killing all they can find. In London small pockets of kids survive by banding together and making fortresses out of abandoned buildings, but the grown-ups are getting braver, smarter even and picking off kids one by one. As hope wanes a new boy arrives with a fantastic story of a place with no grown-ups, a place with food, a place that's safe: Buckingham Palace! Two groups of survivors pull their forces and decide to make the dangerous trek to their last hope of safety, but are they chasing a Fairy Tale? They'll soon find there more monster than grown-ups to worry about.

FAIR WARNING: Like the zombies, this book goes for the jugular and doesn't let go. It is absolutely filled with horror, suspense, and action and the reader (like the books kids) never feels safe. This may be the scariest book I've read all year; like, keep-the-closet-light-on-when-you-sleep-after-reading-it scary. What makes the book so brutal is that it gets you really invested in the characters in the book, but none of them are safe. You get to know and like the characters very quickly and you hope they are going to make it, but all of the sudden BAM: Zombie Food. This is definitely a very gross book with some gore here and there, but it is never graphic enough that it becomes unreadable or offensive. However, I'd definitely say this is more for serious horror and suspense fans than the "Zombies are Funny" type. The book is left open for a sequel, so there are a few unresolved plotlines, but it doesn't end with a huge cliffhanger

New Teen Health Bibliography: Body Image

Back in June I posted about a collection of short stories called Does This Book Make Me Look Fat (YP Fic Does). This fiction collection, which was put together for young adults, focuses on body image, eating disorders, diets, self-esteem, and related issues. Body image is an issue that many teens and adults deal with because of societal pressures, including our fascination with celebrities.

A new bibliography, Body Image: Teen Health Resources, is now available online and in print at the Moore Memorial Public Library. This guide is a collection of books available at the library, databases, and websites. The primary focus is body image, but also addresses diet, anorexia, bulimia, and teen physical health.

Please visit the link posted above or pick up a paper coy of the guide, which is available by the online catalog computers in the reference area. If you have any additional questions regarding body image, please visit the library's reference desk and speak with a librarian.

Columbine by Dave Cullen

Dave Cullen was one of the first reporters to arrive at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, the day Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris opened fire on fellow students and their teachers. He has spent the last ten years researching the infamous Columbine shooting to create the first complete account, Columbine, which is available at the library.

Cullen’s intentions in writing this book were to dispel myths propagated by the media after this tragedy occurred. A number of stereotypes, such as the “Trench Coat Mafia” and Goths shooting jocks, were circulated by the media, including Cullen. As an act of apology and from a desire to report the facts, Cullen poured over hundreds of interviews, investigative files, FBI psychologists, and evidence left by the shooters to recreate the series of events that led to Klebold and Harris’ decision to launch an attack on their school. Cullen depicts a very different picture than that portrayed by the media. These boys weren’t outcasts ridiculed at school. In fact, Harris was relatively popular and noted for his charm. Both boys desired to go to their high prom, and Klebold regularly wrote about love in his journal. This tragedy is no longer based on stereotypes, and the media-inspired caricature has been torn away to reveal the killers’ thoughts and motivations.

Although this blog primarily features Young Adult fiction, there is relevance in featuring Columbine, which is a non-fiction book. Cullen’s determination to demonstrate the complexity and depth of the Columbine shooting warrants examination by both teens and adults. The author delivers an important message to be critical of the media and the news they report. As well, Cullen reminds us those tragedies such as Columbine are often more complex than what is reported. As teens (and adults) it is important to remember life and the choices we make are more complicated than where you fit in within the high school ranks.

Books with Soundtracks and Playlists Display

The Young Adult book display, which is located by the last row of the Young Adult section, currently features a selection of books which were inspired by or contain music. Twilight fans are aware Stephenie Meyer was inspired by the band Muse to write the series, and other authors are similarly motivated.

To accompany the books on display I have created a list of websites, where you can find lists of bands who helped create the books we have come to love. A list is available at the book display, but I will post the weblinks here for your viewing pleasure.

Libba Bray: A Great & Terrible Beauty
http://www.libbabray.com/libbamuzak.html

Rachel Cohn & David Levinthan: Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/nickandnorha/home.php

Gayle Forman: If I Stay
http://www.gayleforman.com/books/if-i-stay/playlist

John Green: Paper Towns
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/books/bookclubs/custom/0525478183_PaperTownsQA_Recs.pdf

Tonya Hurley: Ghost Girl
http://www.ghostgirl.com/novel/pl.charlotte/

Patrick Jones: Nailed & Things Change
http://www.connectingya.com/books.html


E. Lockhart: Dramarama
http://www.theboyfriendlist.com/e_lockhart_blog/2006/12/the_imix_playli.html)

Melina Marchetta: Jellicoe Road
http://theyayayas.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/oh-my-god-jellicoe-road

Marlene Perez: Dead So Last Year & Others
http://members.cox.net/mardperez/books.html

Lousie Rennison: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson Series
http://www.georgia-nicolson.co.uk/stiffdylans/index.html

Laurie Stolarz: Touch Series
http://lauriestolarz.com/novels/the_touch_series.html

L.A. Candy: a novel by Lauren Conrad

Lauren Conrad made a name for herself on The Hills a reality television series from MTV. L.A. Candy: a novel is Conrad’s first venture as a young adult writer and the storyline is seemingly autobiographical. New to Los Angeles, beautiful, blond, 19-year-old Jane and her best friend, Scarlett, are bubbling with excitement over the opportunities await them. Jane moved to LA for an internship with one of the hottest event planners, while Jane plans to attend school and figure her life out. Soon after they arrive in the city they meet a producer at a club, who invites them to a reality TV show audition. The reality TV show changes their lives and sets the girls on a path toward stardom and celebrity.

L.A. Candy is a sweet, quick read. However, the overall story is not entirely fluffy, as Conrad provides insight on the scenes behind reality TV. Clearly your life is bound to change when you allow cameras to follow your every move. Conrad draws upon her personal experiences, both good and humiliating, to create a coming-of-age tale full of hopes and dreams in glitzy LA.

Teens and young-at-hearts who enjoyed the Gossip Girl and It Girl series by Cecily von Ziegesar will be sure to enjoy Conrad’s debut novel. L.A. Candy is currently available on the Young Adult New Book Shelf and the Gossip Girl and It Girl series may be found in the Young Adult section near the Reference Desk.

Hot Girl by Dream Jordan

Another book by a new author, this one who received a degree in creative writing from New York University. The book is set in Brooklyn, New York, and is told in the first person by its 14-year-old heroine, Kate. She has been in foster placement all her life. Only in the past year has Kate started getting her act together. Two people have made the difference in her life - a straight-talking social worker who cares about her and isn’t afraid to show it, and her best friend Felicia, who cares about getting somewhere, and is not into following the crowd.
The only trouble now is that it’s summer, and Felicia is gone – gone on a special events teen tour of Africa, one that Kate could have joined if she wasn’t so hot-tempered. Being insulted by some of the other girls about her violent past (she had been in a gang) and her bargain basement clothes, Kate decided she wouldn’t go.
Lo and behold, a new girl turns up, and wants to be friends with Kate. She’s a sharp looker and dresser, and even wants to help Kate jazz up her image. But Naleejah has some other things about her that are not so positive for Kate, like jumping into guy’s cars and into their beds.
Jordan has created very lively and real characters…the “beautiful” boy Kate is crazy over has some problems from his own home environment, and Naleejah is believable in her neediness, even as she shows off with her aggressive ideas.
Kate’s foster home environment has some special issues too, and Jordan is good at capturing that frustration between teens and their care-givers. Both sides can act pretty pitiful, but if they give each other a chance they can connect. The book has been criticized for Kate’s determination to stay out of trouble with boys, as her background would not predict that. But young girls do need role models like this, and need to hear statements like Kate’s.
I look forward to reading more of Dream Jordan. You can catch her website at http://dreamjordanbooks.com/

Intensely Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Alice is 17 and torn between longing for the past and looking toward her future. Pamela’s pregnancy, Patrick’s departure for university, and Alice’s preparation for going to college and envisioning her future leave the protagonist wishing for the times when all her friends were still going to high school together and living in the same place. Oh, those times when life was simple and carefree. Unfortunately it takes a tragedy to bring everyone back together- a tragedy that is guaranteed to change Alice and all of her friends forever.

Intensely Alice addresses teen pregnancy, sexuality, questioning one’s faith or beliefs, and the fear of the future, which are issues young adults face as they grow toward adulthood. Naylor continues to develop the friendship between Alice, Pamela, and Elizabeth, and Alice’s boyfriend, Patrick, returns after an absence in the past few books. Readers travel with Alice to go visit Patrick while he is off studying at the University of Chicago and get to see if the couple takes their relationship to the next level. Naylor has reconnected with Alice’s voice in Intensely Alice. In the past couple of books Alice didn't sound like a teenager; whereas now her voice is more mature. Long-time fans of the series will have no trouble sinking into Alice’s story and will be left wanting more.

Intensely Alice is Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s 24th book in the Alice series. Naylor began the Alice series with the protagonist in the 6th grade. She later delivered prequels for a younger audience exploring Alice’s adventures in Grades 3, 4, and 5. The author is planning on writing one Alice book a year until Alice is 18. For every year of Alice’s life, the author delivers three books exploring Alice’s events and experiences. Afterward, she will deliver the 28th and final book, which will reflect on Alice’s life from ages 18-60. The Alice books are released annually in May.

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor has had an extensive career writing for children, young adults, and adult readers. She is known for her other series: The Shiloh Books, the Bernie Magruder Books, the Cat Pack Books, the York Trilogy, and the Witch Books. Many of these books and other publications by Naylor are available at the Moore Memorial Public Library in the Children’s, Young Adult, and Fiction sections.

King of the Screwups: A Novel by K.L. Going

Ever feel like you are suffering an identity crisis? Liam Geller, the main character in K.L. Going’s King of the Screwups: a Novel might be able to relate. Liam is incredibly popular at high school. He excels in sports, the girls adore him, and he dresses incredibly well. There is one little problem, though. Although he is adored by all, he can and often is an incredible screw-up. This ability regularly enrages his father and eventually leads him to kick Liam out of the house right before the start of senior year. With nowhere to go, Liam ends up living with his gay uncle, who he calls Aunt Pete. His uncle lives a bit of a glam-rock lifestyle as a DJ in upstate New York, lives in a trailer, and has many colorful friends. Hoping to earn his father’s acceptance, Liam uses this new environment and school to become a model student. However, Liam is torn between being who he really is and living up to his father’s expectations. King of the Screwups takes the reader on Liam’s adventure to find his true self.

Other books in the Moore Young Adult collection by K.L. Going include: Fat Kid Rules the World, which won a Printz Award Honor, and Saint Iggy, an American Library association Best Book for Young Adults.

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Beloved young adult author, Sarah Dessen, recently published her ninth book, Along for the Ride. This story focuses on recent high school graduate, Auden, who slowly begins to realize all the things she missed out on during high school because she chose to focus on her education. Spending the summer with her father, step-mother, and newborn baby sister, in the remote cottage, beach-side community of Colby, only furthers this realization. During her last summer before going off to attend university, Auden, works at her step-mother’s boutique, which exposes her to a whole new world of “girl”: gossip, boys, and friendship.

Auden, in addition to having missed out on many social forays of teen-dom, also suffers from insomnia. She hasn’t slept normally for years, and she spends her night driving around the small cottage town drinking coffee. These all-night adventures eventually lead to a friendship with Eli, a local loner, who also seems to also suffer from insomnia. Both have emotional obstacles they need to overcome, and during the summer they learn to rely on one another and face the many things that may hold them back from living the lives they desire.

Similarly to other Dessen works, this story is character driven. Readers will find themselves attached to the characters and the world in which they live. Other books in the Moore Young Adult collection by Dessen are: That Summer, Lock & Key, Just Listen, The Truth about Forever, This Lullaby, Dreamland, Keeping the Moon, and Someone like You.

Derby Girl by Shauna Cross

Bliss Cavendar cannot wait to finish high school so she can get out of Bodeen, Texas as soon as possible. The small town only seems to offer her misery with its Miss Bluebonnet pageant, lack of hot, cool guys, and cowboy mentality. If it weren’t for her best friend, Pash, and a mutual love of all things indie rock there would be little happiness in the world that imprisons them. That is until Bliss discovers the extreme excitement of roller derby, which takes place an hour away in her cool, indie-dream capital, Austin.

According to Bliss roller derby is her ticket out of small town, narrow-minded living and an escape from her reality of having to soon compete in the Miss Bluebonnet pageant. She leads a double life, high school attending teenager by day/ 18-yr-old heartbreaker roller derby babe by night, which bring her both happiness and pain. She meets and dates the hottest band guy and becomes a roller queen. However, this new life comes with sacrifices, like best friendship, which Bliss discovers is more important that making out with a boy.

The author Shauna Cross is from Austin, which is apparent by her description of the city and hipster hot spots. For those high schoolers who feel stuck and out of place in the typical high school setting, Bliss’ story will make you wish you could transport yourself to Austin’s Lamar Street or South Congress to do some vintage clothes or record shopping. Bliss’ journey around the rink is full of hilarity and growing pains, but it is also dressed in fish nets and roller skates.

Gentlemen by Michael Northrop

New to the Moore Memorial Public Library Young Adult collection is Gentlemen by Michael Northrop. The story is centered on four boys, who are known for their bad behavior. Growing up in a small town, Mike (the narrator), Tommy, Bones, and Mixer, are largely ignored and reviled at their high school and among the community. They spend their school days hating their remedial classes and most of their teachers and peers. They are outcast and constantly reminded of this fact.

The story quickly grows suspenseful when one of the boys, Tommy, who was kicked out of class for tossing a desk, goes missing. Around the same time of this event, the remaining three boys also notice their English teacher, Mr. Haberman, begins to act strangely. The combination of these two events allows the boy’s minds to draw wild conclusions as they try to figure out what happened to Tommy. Northrop creates a story that is both suspenseful and deftly communicates the bonds of adolescent friendship in his writing.

Gentleman is an easy read, as it is written like Mike is talking directly to you as he tells the tale. Crime and Punishment, which Haberman is teaching in his class, is referenced throughout the story; however, the reader doesn’t necessarily need to know this classic to be gripped by the plot and taken in by the suspense. Some of the language and content may be a little harsh for younger readers.

Gentlemen is Northrop’s first novel. He has published short fictional works in Weird Tales, McSweeney’s, and the Norte Dame Review. His second Young Adult novel, Trapped, will be out soon.

Does This Book Make Me Look Fat? Edited by Marissa Walsh

Body image is an issue many people struggle with, but teens can be especially afflicted because of peer pressure and an over saturation of celebrity-focused media. It seems that at least once a week some celebrity, like Lindsay Lohan or Jennifer Love Hewitt, is being attacked for being “too fat” or “too skinny.” Society’s influence on what is beautiful has caused both teen boys and girls to go to extreme lengths to fit into an unrealistic mold.


Does This Book Make Me Look Fat? stories about loving – and loathing- your body, edited by Marissa Walsh, is a collection of short fiction and non-fiction writings addressing body issues. The book features the work of Ellen Hopkins (Crank, Impulse, & Identical), Sarra Manning (Guitar Girl, Pretty Things, & Let’s Get Lost), Matt de la Pena (Mexican Whiteboy & Ball Don’t Lie), Megan McCafferty (Perfect Fifths, Fourth Comings, & Charming Thirds), and many other young adult writers. Much of the writing focuses on the issues young girls may face, but Barry Lyga (The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl & Hero-Type) and Daniel Pinkwater provide a male perspective.

This collection demonstrates the common and often silent struggle teens go through and the effects it can have on their physical and emotion health. The book has a personal touch to it based on honest autobiographical contributions of some of the writers, which relays to the reader that they are not alone. Certain works are stronger than others, but overall the collection brings the message home that we are not alone with the struggle to feel “normal” and accepted.

In addition to appearing in this book, several of these authors are featured in the Moore Memorial Public Library Young Adult collection.

Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Sonny Liew & Marc Hempel

Boys can really sock it to you when you have a crush on them or when facing them in a hapkido competition. Of course, the matter seems far worse when the boy you are crushing on is your hapkido opponent. Jen Dik Seong, aka Dixie, is a Korean-American high school girl living in Los Angeles’ Koreatown. Her “spiky” personality, as described by her BFF Avril, leaves something to be desired, so she manifests her frustration with the ancient martial art of hapkido. Dixie is one of the best students at her dojang, but her “ki”, or harmonious essence, is thrown off by a crush on a fellow teammate, the hot, blonde Adam. How can she possibly concentrate on hapkido, school, or anything, when her affection is unrequited?

In order to catch Adam’s attention Dixie blows her savings on his birthday present instead of paying for her entry fee for the national tournament. Naturally, trouble ensues. As the title suggests, Dixie’s gift goes on quite a gift-giving adventure. Dixie goes on quite roller coaster ride, herself, as she tries to win a boy’s affection and the hapkido tournament. Things don’t turn out as Dixie planned, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. At least she found her “ki.”

Re-Gifters is one of the strongest books published by the short-lived Minx Comics, which was a division of DC Comics. It was the first graphic novel imprint designed specifically for teen girls. Other books from Minx Comics include: Token by Alisa Kwitney & Joelle Jones, The Plain Janes and Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg, and Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim & Jesse Hamm. These titles are currently available at Moore Memorial Public Library.

Glee

During the summer months it’s easy to spend more time outside because the sun is up past 8pm and the television is usually chalk-full of reruns. However, over the past couple of years TV stations have begun to premiere new series, such as the widely successful Mad Men two seasons ago. With “American Idol”, “Gossip Girl”, “90210”, and many other teen-driven shows going on hiatus, you may be wondering what to watch on those summer evenings when you feel like staying indoors. Tonight on Fox after Chris Ryan and Adam Lambert duke it out for the “American Idol” Season 8 crown, Glee will premiere in all of its much-hyped glory.

Glee, created by Ryan Murphy (“Nip/Tuck” and “Popular”), may be television’s answer to the “High School Musical” phenomenon. The show follows an enthusiastic high school teacher, Mr. Schuester, as he tries to organize a rag-a-muffin group of students into a high-performance singing super-ensemble. (We’re talking more than just jazz hands, people.) Members of the glee club are social outcasts ridiculed by the popular crowd and hide within the solace of the group to avoid being picked on by their fellow students. Mr. Schuester’s dream to compete at the national singing competition ruffles feathers, especially after he convinces the football quarterback to join the glee club. The students, along with Schuester, struggle in the face of adversity to achieve their dreams and put the glee club back on top.

The cast is full of talented faces, including several up-and-coming Broadway elite. Mr. Schuester is played by Matthew Morrison from “Hairspray,” and a few cast members from the Tony Award-winning musical, “Spring Awakening” play glee club members. Jane Lynch, from “Best in Show” and “Role Models,” provides comic relief as Coach Sue Sylvester. Other familiar faces from “Kyle X/Y,” “Nip/Tuck,” and “Ugly Betty” should provide a talented, comedic cast.

If you enjoy Glee, you should check out this Glee-like material available at Moore Memorial Public Library:
Books
Ball Don’t Lie by Matt de la Pena
Can’t Stop the Shine by Joyce Davis
Choir Boy by Charlie Anders
Diamond (The Divas Series) by Victoria Christopher Murray
High School Musical: the essential guide by Catherine Saunders
I Love you, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn
Rebound by Bob Krech
Sleeping Freshman Never Lie by David Lubar
Street Love by Walter Dean Myers
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga

DVDs
Hairspray
High School Musical
High School Musical 2
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Mad Hot Ballroom
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
The Cheetah Girls: one world
Save the Last Dance
Save the Last Dance 2
Step up
Step Up 2: the streets
Stomp the Yard

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Suzanne Collins, author of the Underland Chronicles, a children’s fantasy series, has turned her hand to young adult fiction in the Hunger Games, the first of a futuristic trilogy that has already been snapped up by Lionsgate for its movie rights. The book’s heroine is Katniss, a 16 year old who lives in what used to be the United States but is now Panem, a country which consists of twelve “districts” under the absolute control of the Capitol city. There was an attempted rebellion by the districts in the past against the Capitol, which was unsuccessful. As a punishment and a deterrent for such future efforts, a televised battle to the death takes place every year, between young contestants chosen by lot from each district. These battles are staged like our reality television shows (except that their dazzling technological effects are way ahead of what we can do today).
Some of the districts are poorer than others, and Katniss comes from the poorest one. Although technically the richer contestants are better-fed and trained in combat, Katniss has fed her family by hunting, which has given her an edge in survival skills. You are immediately introduced into Katniss’ world, watching her forage for game in the woods next to her district, and the details of the society are easily explained and fit into the action. The lottery for choosing the candidates is one of the first events, yet Collins’ skill is such that you are already sharing Katniss’ apprehension and fear as it takes place. The novel is well-paced, with surprises and plot twists next to passages relating Katniss’ reactions to both the physical and the emotional challenges. 'Who will survive' is the hook that keeps you reading, yet the hook is stronger from the relationships that Katniss has with the other contestants, and how they are played out. This book has been recommended for girls and boys as well as adults, with special notice for boys who are reluctant readers!

Shelf Life / by Robert Corbet

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After being forced into taking a job at the supermarket, Adam decides his only way out is to get himself fired, a not-impossible task he thinks can be accomplished easily enough on his first day. But Adam never anticipated seeing Lisa, a quite unexpected deterrent. Recently voted Employee of the Month, Lisa would seemingly be in high-spirits. But with things in her personal life gone haywire and now having to support herself and her flaky mother with nightshifts as an intern at the hospital, Lisa is anything but in the mood for celebration.
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Also working at the supermarket are Jared and Dylan, two peas from the same pod whose mission in life is to goof off as much as possible, frequently sporting their tasteless humour to everyone in earshot when there not racing down aisles in shopping carts. And at the checkout counter, the always smiling--and forever dreaming--Chloe is always on the lookout for new and better opportunities, albeit ones which never seem to work out. Overlooking them all is Graham, the gung-ho shift manager secretly harboring ambitions of his own. Though the work may be monotonous, one thing is for sure: there's never a dull moment at the supermarket.

Saint Iggy / by K.L. Goings

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High-minded claims of a disadvantaged youth would be hard-pressed to top Iggy Corso. Had by a crack-addict mother, his prospects were dim even prior his birth; having only depreciated with age as the destructive lifestyles of his derelict parents have kept him underfunded, undernourished and undereducated; not to mention under constant harassment from landlords, thieves and drug-dealers (his parents absent or indisposed most of the time). Life away from home is just as bad. Held back twice, suspended eight times and currently failing for a third consecutive term, Iggy's impending interview with the school superintendent is his last chance before he's kicked out for good.

Realizing his only chance for "any" future is to stay in school, Iggy resolves to make the most of things, seeking out his only reliable friend, Mo, for support. A drug user by profession, Mo is anything but Iggy's social equal; hailing from a wealthy upper-class background, his situation is one of choice obstinacy rather than misfortune. A law school dropout, his "minimalist" lifestyle--not unsimilar to Iggy's--would workout well were it not for his drug habit landing him in financial straits (debts to dealers); a problem now forcing him into the undesirable task of asking his mother for money. An entirely new dilemna now emerges for Iggy as, having accompanied Mo across town to his mom's grandiose apartment, he's made the buffer between a resentful Mo and his fearful but forgiving mother.