Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Amazon Product Description
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

I’ve held off on blogging about this book because I was afraid I couldn’t do it justice.  On the library listservs so many people felt compelled to second guess the author, to discuss whether or not the ending was the right ending or even if it was believable.  I don’t even want to go there.  Sometimes, I’m afraid that critics/adults feel compelled to dismiss/criticize literature that is popular.  It’s almost as if they as though a popular series could not be well written. If teens like it, or if anyone for that matter, it can’t possibly be good.

This series is incredible. I like to refer to it as Survivor to the Death for Kids.  It is one of the most well written young adult dystopian series I have read.   IMHO each book is as good as the previous one.  There is not fairytale or 30 minute sitcom happy ending.  Yet, hope isn’t totally destroyed either.  I don’t know if the author was trying to make a commentary/statement on the times in which we live or not. Truthfully, I don’t care.  This last installment is entertaining and well written. I certainly got my money’s worth.

If you like young adult dystopian novels, especially ones that are realistic, then you should read this series. If you are looking for a light, happy read – look elsewhere.

Titles in the series:

The Hunger Games

Catching Fire

Mockingjay

Confessions of a Bookaholic: Haunted Halloween: Book Feature with Kelley Armstr...

Another great giveaway by Confessions of a Bookholic - check it out.

Confessions of a Bookaholic: Haunted Halloween: Book Feature with Kelley Armstr...: "Industrial Magic by Kelley ArmstrongPublisher: Orbit (September 2nd, 2004)Reading Level: AdultPaperback: 528 pagesSeries: Women of the Othe..."

The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk

Will Halpin is a deaf teenager who has just transferred from a school for the deaf to a mainstream high school in eastern Pennsylvania. Not only does Will stand out because he’s deaf, but he is also the overweight new kid.  His assigned seating is off to the side, which is supposed to enable him to read  lips of both teachers and classmates. The main thing it accomplishes is to set him apart from the rest of the class.  This does not do much for his already somewhat low self image.  Eventually, almost reluctantly, Will becomes friends with another social outcast, Devon Smiley. Together they find themselves involved in solving the mysterious death of fellow classmate and social kingpin, Pat Chambers.  While the mystery adds to the story, it’s is Will’s dark humor (Hamburger Halpin is his screen name) and goofy antic of the two boys that make the story such an enjoyable read.  Teens (and pre-teens) will love this mix up of satire, mystery, and teen romance.

Recommended for grades 8 and up.

ALA Announces Top Ten Teen Reads for 2010

ALA's Top Ten Teen Reads is a list of top 10 teen reads for a given year as voted on by teens.  This is the only list created for and by teens.

The Teens' Top Ten 2010 is: 

1. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins  *
2. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
3. Heist Society by Ally Carter
4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater  *
5. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
6. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
7. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen *
8. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
9. Fire by Kristin Cashore *
10. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson *

I have read five of the top ten (marked with an *).  I loved all of them. As for the other five they are on my to read list - the never ending to read list.  Of the five I have read, it would be hard to pick a top one as I liked each one for a different reason. Each is unique and outstanding in it's own way.  I will say this, if you are a teen with an eating disorder or know or suspect you know a teen with an eating disorder, you should read Anderson's Wintergirls.

What is your top teen read for 2010?

Book Blogger Hop - hosted by Crazy For Books

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! It's hosted by Crazy for Books  So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun!  This is a weekly event!  And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added!  We get over 200 links every week!! 





This week's question comes from Christina who blogs at The Paperback Princesses.

"When you read a book that you just can't get into, do you stick it out and keep reading or move to your next title?"

My answer: it depends on why I'm reading the book. Life is to short to read something you don't like if you don't have to read it.  Many times we have to - it's an assignment for a class, it's for a job or whatever.   I usually give it the first chapter or 50 page test. If I'm still struggling by then and it's not required reading, I close the book and move on to something else.

Confessions of a Bookaholic: Haunted Halloween: YA Giveaway!

This is a great prize pack. If I win, I'll probably have to fight my teen for the books. Don't worry I'll share. I often post about giveways from my fellow bloggers. I hope that you will all take a chance to read their blogs as well. I get many wonderful recommendations from just reading what they have to say about the world of books.

Confessions of a Bookaholic: Haunted Halloween: YA Giveaway!: "It's now time for the YA Book Prize Pack Giveaway!! Two winners for this one. Each will receive 12 books and lots of swag. Yes, 12 BOOKS!..."

Only The Good Spy Young by Ally Carter

Product description from Amazon:  When Cammie Morgan enrolled at the Gallagher Academy, she knew she was preparing for the dangerous life of a spy. What she didn’t know was that the serious, real-life danger would start during her junior year of high school. But that’s exactly what happened two months ago when Cammie faced off against an ancient terrorist organization dead set on kidnapping her. I could go into more detail than Amazon does, but I don’t want to spoil it for those who not have read the book.

Now the danger follows her everywhere, and even Cammie “The Chameleon” can’t hide.  When a terrifying encounter in London reveals that one of her most-trusted allies is actually a rogue double-agent, Cammie no longer knows if she can trust her classmates, her teachers—or even her own heart.

Somehow I went straight from book one to book four.  Even though there were some missing blanks along the way Carter does such an excellent job of storytelling that I was able to keep up with the general plot in book four, even though I have not yet read books two and three. 

This is what I like to call a smart girls series.  Cammie Morgan is a strong female character with the brains and courage to carry the story all on her own.  However, she doesn’t have to go it alone. Her roommates, her crush, and her teachers all combine to make this an interesting and well developed story.   Each of the characters is amazingly strong and talented. 

Though I was able to pick up the storyline fairly easily without having read books two and three, I highly recommend that you read the books in order.

Other books in the series include:                                   

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls)
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy (Gallagher Girls)
Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover (Gallagher Girls)
Only the Good Spy Young (Gallagher Girls)

Recommended for grades 6^th and up.

Rating:  5 of 5