I took a brief hiatus from my reading for the selection committee for next year’s Snow Willow awards to read The Hunger Games, the first in a trilogy.This occurred partly because of the fabulous reviews this novel generated and partly because it arrived as a mature read with my Scholastic Book Fair, and I wanted to see if it was appropriate for an elementary library.

This is probably one of the most riveting, gripping science fiction novels I have ever read, and I absolutely look forward to reading the next one. In a post North American society, the Capitol maintains control over its populace by choosing two young people each year from the 12 districts to participate in the Hunger Games. This consists of an ornate preparation time and culminates in the young contestants being thrust into a hostile environment, where only one is meant to survive. Katniss and Peeta, both from District 12, are forced to become enemies and yet it becomes clear that Peeta has feelings for Katniss. If it comes down to it, one of them must kill the other. Twists and turns make this an exciting reead and one where you can hardly bear to stop reading. Catching Fire is the sequel. I have it- I can’t wait to read it!

I recommend this highly for all high schools and I believes this is also suitable for your stronger grade 7&8 readers. Adults, worthwhile for you as well.

Not Suitable For Family Viewing is Robin’s story. With a distant, TV star mother, she feels that her life really doesn’t have much meaning. An accidental discovery of an old high school football ring and a school photo gives Robin the impetus to try to discover just who her mother is and what secrets she might be keeping. Her search leads her to a small fishing village in Nova Scotia where she is taken in by Kay, the owner of the local hostel. And she meets Levi, the local hot guy. But Robin’s own self-image is such that she is unable to believe that he could have any interest in her, contrary to the mounting evidence. As she pursues her investigation of her mom’s past, she becomes embroiled in another mystery and finds her life being threatened.

I particularly like the twists and turns in this story and the ability of this author to keep you on the edge of your seat and make you want to just read a little more. With an unexpected ending, this story is a fine coming-of-age story, a reminder of where secrets may lead and an inspiration to look at yourself as others might see you. I would recommend this for your YA section of your library right through high school.

I have long loved the offerings of this talented author, but in Haunted, she has reached another dimension, in more ways than one. Dee, short for Defiant, lives with her eccentric grandmother, ostensibly having been abandoned by her mother after her birth. If that isn’t enough to cope with, her grandmother is the local midwife with some ability to forsee events surrounding births and rather cold to Dee. Dee herself has the “sight”, the uncanny ability to see spirits. Often, all they need from Dee is assurance that they can rest in peace. But sometimes the spirits are malevolent and when the body of a friend of Dee’s is discovered, she herself becomes drawn into the horror of her death and she is even suspected of some involvement. When the local mentally challenged boy is arrested, Dee knows it just can’t be right, but the only way to truly find out what is happening is to venture back up the mountain, where the girls’ bodies have been discovered. I compare this to The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong and although they have some similar themes, there is no comparison as to how they are handled. Haunted is an exploration of prejudices, of relationships and of ultimate redemption. I recommend this highly for the YA section of your elementary library through high school.

Another look at the Middle East conflict, Mackenzie, Lost and Found is the story of a 15 year-old who recently lost her mother. Her eccentric professor father thinks the best thing for them would be a change, and he re-locates them to Jerusalem for a year. Mackenzie is predictably furious and determines to leave after three months. But the interim brings a cute boy, and a good friend, both of whom contribute to a desire to stay. When the relationship begins to develop between Mackenzie and Nasir, she is appalled to find that it must be kept a secret, especially from Nasir’s parents. The other plot line centers around the illegal disposition of found artifacts, with which Nasir and his family become involved. Mackenzie is inadvertently drawn into this drama and eventually into very real danger. I did not feel the characters elicited a great deal of empathy. There seemed to be an attempt to cover too much history with perhaps an expectation that readers would already understand the background. Surprisingly, lots of our students don’t even know there is a conflict going on. As a somewhat superficial, light read, this would still be a good addition to your library and may serve to pique further interest in readers.

I am reminded of One More River by Lynne Read Banks, which dealt with the same type of issues in a more substantial form. They might be read together and comparisons drawn.

Although this wasn’t a bad read, I just didn’t feel the plot in Gravity Brings Me Down was developed well enough. Sioux is a character somewhat like Spinelli’s Stargirl, although not as likely to elicit our empathy. In the midst of the normal teen family realationships, crushes on boyfriends, boredom at school, crazy teachers and the desire to be unique, yet fit in, enter “Miss Marple”, a somewhat forgetful, eccentric old lady. She believes that Sioux is her youngest daughter, and although Sioux is a little weirded out, she also begins to develop some sympathy for her. This leads her to visit “Miss Marple” and pretend to actually be the long-lost daughter. I liked the relationship, but it seems to be abruptly abandoned at the end of the story. Having taken Mabel (aka Miss Marple) on a shopping spree after her admission to a long-term care facility, the family’s lawyer forbids Sioux to have any more contact with her. She accepts this with relative ease and somehow, puts all the pieces of her life together. Would kids like it? I’m not sure.  I much preferred Skinnybones and the Wrinkle Queen by Glen Huser  which had a similar theme.

Saskatoon author, Art Slade, once again shows his versatility in The Hunchback Assignments. Of the steampunk genre, unfamiliar to me, this story embraces the elements of fantastical, historical and intrigue. Modo, once a curiosity at a travelling show, is taken in by Mr. Socrates, aware of the child’s ability to transform his features. After 12 years of being trained and sheltered, he is abruptly abandoned on the streets of London. There, Modo must use every skill he possesses to survive, and yet to disguise his disfiguring appearance. Having set himself up as a private sleuth, he is one day approached and hired by the mysterious and lovely Octavia. With Mr. Socrates back in the picture, Modo attempts to unravel a chain of events which leads them to London’s underworld and to the revelation of a sinister plot by the mad scientist, Mr. Hyde.

At intervals, we are given glimpses into the world and cruelties of Mr. Hyde; providing us with just the right amount of suspense and horror. I would highly recommend this for readers from grade 6 right through high school. I trust there will be a sequel because we will want to know what happens to Modo next.

When Esther diappears in her small Hungarian village, the Jewish community is accuse of “blood libel.” Her best friend Julie, suspects that Esther, greatly abused and unhappy in her domestic situation, has taken her own life. But the horror takes on a life of its own, and the authorities are determined to find a scapegoat. To that end, they force a young Jewish boy, Morris, to confess to having seen the Jews perform this ritualistic murder in the synagogue. The trial begins, and at first it appears that the authorities may hold sway, but the enterprising lawyer for the defense begins to pick out inconsistencies in the testimony, and indeed, outright impossibilities.

This is a heart-rending story; one that will have you grappling with a world that could, and still does, allow such atrocities. When will we ever learn?

I have never personally been a fan of short stories, but Lunch with Lenin kept me fascinated. With her usual profound insight and amazing depth of understanding of many cultures, Deborah Ellis has created little vignettes which portray lives affected by the drug trade. In a totally non-judgmental way, she provides glimpses of how drugs are used and abused, and yet how in many countries, they are also the only way to provide a livelihood. Taking her ideas from many different settings and parts of the world results in an overview that is at once informative and humbling. Too often we here in our western society make assumptions without really understanding the reasons behind a way of life. Ellis has provided that, and I believe this is an important read for our students and for ourselves. I highly recommend this.

Return To Bone Tree Hill is an excellent example of a fine author’s ability to create suspense. Jessica has lived in Australia for six years, but recurring dreams are haunting enough to draw her back to Victoria, where she used to live. Her dreams are terrifying to the extreme as she kills a boy in her dream. It is so vivid that she decides she has to find out the truth, even if it means she’s a murderer. So back to the scene of the crime, as it were. When she arrives, she indeed finds that Charlie, the boy in her dreams, has disappeared. She finally confides in her good friend Jilly, and together they attempt to unravel the maze of memory and fact. This novel has lots of suspense and although the character is 18, it would be most suitable for grade 7 and up.

Check out this great book trailer on You Tube.

http://www.goodreads.com/videos/show/3575-return-to-bone-tree-hill

Yes!! A new, excellent Canadian fantasy series. This first novel in the series, The Prince of Neither Here Nor There will take its place with the best of fantasy anywhere. Brendan is the typical high school misfit, with all the awkwardness and pimples of many adolescents. He is fortunate to have a few good friends, including Kim who seems to hang out with them even though she’s one of the cool ones. When some unusual episodes convince him he is not just geeky, but is also losing his mind, Brenden knows he needs to find out more about himself. Kim, and an odd substitute teacher, seem to be keeping an eye on him, which makes no sense. Eventually, he finds out that he is actually a faerie, who has been left in the human world for reasons he doesn’t understand. So the adventure begins! As per usual, there are those Faeries who want to turn him to their own vile purpose and those who want him to realize his full potential. Lots of action, chases, escapes, and original characters have you cheering for Bendan as he has to find for himself where he truly belongs. This will be great for your Grade 7 readers right through high school