Another Young Adult novel that is NOT just for kids

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Another YA novel that will knock your socks off. I couldn't put it down and am waiting eagerly for the next one (waiting my turn at the library) and then the third is due out later this month.

The Hunger Games is set in a future US that has been torn apart by civil unrest and reconstructed into Districts. To entertain the masses, each district offers 2 Tributes each year to the Hunger Games. The object of this game is to be the last kid standing. Only kids from age 12-18 are chosen.

This year Katniss Everdeen takes her little sister's place as Tribute. The boy from her Distriict, Peeta , is the baker's son. To survive the Games, Peeta and Katniss eventually join forces. They pretend they are in love and end up winning the Games-but at what cost?

I love how the book is paced to keep moving . The action is well timed and not too gory (except maybe the last one and the plot twist to that one is something else.) The characters are engaging and believable. Very well written.

I'm looking forward to reading Catching Fire-the second installment in this trilogy.

Author Love

I have to say, authors are a generous and wonderful crowd. Not only do they share their imaginations with us, they often share so much more.

The public library I work for is in the midst of the summer reading program. We have a section for childreen, teens, and adults. Prizes are strongly suggested to be reading related so we have been actively seeking books as prizes. I found some great authors and author sites (I have posted some earlier) but today I'd like to give a shout out to the group at backspace.org. This group of writers support each other and most recently, they have supported me. So thanks to Willam Mills, Bonnie Turner, Carla Buckley, Randy Sue Meyers, A.S. King, and Karen Dionne- Our program would be a pale shadow of itself without you.

New Star on the horizon?

I just finished Alan Bradley's "The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag" -the second Flavia deLuce mystery. It was excellent. As much fun as the first: "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie".
Set in post WWII England, it stars 11 year old Flavia deLuce, budding chemist and the youngest daughter of three born to Harriet (deceased) and Haviland deLuce. She is quite the cheeky thing and drives her older sisters batty as they, in turn, torment her as only siblings of the same sex can. I speak from experience as an older sister.
The plot is complex but Bradley does a "bang-up" job of creating believable characters and a plot that keeps you guessing. My only complaint, if you will, is how Flavia can outsmart the police. Not that it is impossible, but perhaps, in this case, it was laid on a little too thick. None the less, I look forward to reading more of Flavia's adventures. And what she thinks of next to get revenge on her sisters' attentions.

I know, I know, it's been awhile. I've been reading, honet. Just not posting. Maybe it will get easier and faster-soon.
Today though, I want to share another blogger's site as she is doing what I would love to do-she takes this whole book review thing to a whole new level-
Liz can be found here Http://Cleverlyinked.blogspot.com check it out and if you find it as interesting as I did-you can sign up for some fabulous birthday prizes from authors all over. And follow Liz as she shares all kinds of good books.

And when you do all that-run to your local library/favorite independent bookstore and check out "The Owl Keeper" by Chris Brodien Jones. It's her second book and they only get better-It's written for young adults but you know that's never stopped me from reading a good book.