Kids Books - Issues

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games)

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games)

By Suzanne Collins

"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins is a mesmerizing sequel that surpasses all expectations, delivering a heart-pounding narrative that will leave readers clamoring for more. From the moment I opened the book, I was immediately drawn back into the dystopian world of Panem, where the Capitol's tyranny looms large and the stakes are higher than ever. Collins wastes no time in thrusting us back into the action, seamlessly picking up where "The Hunger Games" left off and plunging us headfirst into a thrilling new adventure. What sets "Catching Fire" apart is its masterful blend of suspense, intrigue, and emotion. As Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark embark on their Victory Tour, we are treated to a deeper exploration of the world of Panem, from the opulent splendor of the Capitol to the impoverished districts struggling under its rule. Collins' world-building is rich and immersive, painting a vivid portrait of a society on the brink of rebellion. But it's not just the world-building that shines in "Catching Fire" - it's the characters. Katniss Everdeen continues to be a captivating and complex protagonist, grappling with the aftermath of her actions in the Hunger Games and the growing unrest in the districts. Her resilience in the face of adversity is nothing short of inspiring, and readers will find themselves rooting for her every step of the way. Peeta Mellark, too, undergoes a compelling character arc, wrestling with his feelings for Katniss and his own sense of identity in a world that seeks to manipulate and control him. The dynamic between Katniss and Peeta is electric, and their relationship forms the emotional core of the story, driving the narrative forward with its intensity and depth. And let's not forget the games themselves - the Quarter Quell is a stroke of genius on Collins' part, injecting new life into the series and raising the stakes to dizzying new heights. The arena is a mesmerizing and dangerous playground, filled with twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. In conclusion, "Catching Fire" is a triumph of YA literature, a pulse-pounding sequel that surpasses its predecessor in every way. With its unforgettable characters, gripping plot, and dazzling world-building, it's a book that demands to be read and re-read. Whether you're a fan of dystopian fiction or simply love a good story, "Catching Fire" is not to be missed. Highly recommended.

Uglies (Uglies Trilogy)

Uglies (Uglies Trilogy)

By Scott Westerfeld

"A world where everyone's ugly. And then they're not" Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Once she's sixteen, the operation will turn her world and herself beauteous. The operation will turn her from a depressing ugly to a stunningly attractive pretty. She will soon fit in a perfect body, live in a perfect world, and get to meet, her best friend/crush, the already pretty Peris who is 3 months older than her. During the three months of waiting, Tally met her new friend, Shay who isn't sure to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, she left hints and notes for Tally. Following these clues, Tally soon learn about a whole new "not so pretty" world, the other side of her society where everyone's ugly and then they're not. The Special authorities group from the pretty world offers Tally a choice: find Shay and turn her in, or never turn pretty again. Tally's decision will change everyone's world forever. In my opinion, this book may be a connection to the future of the world we are living in. People's classes are defined by their physical appearance. My favorite character in this book is, of course, Tally. She is not only intelligent, she also demonstrated her courage in many ways. I learned from this book that your appearance can not define who you are, but your actions can. I would recommend this book to any young adults because I think that this is an important lesson that they are able to understand.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

By J.K. Rowling

How do you think it would feel to be the only one to stop a being of pure evil? In the book Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling.The protagonist is Harry Potter a teenage wizard boy who lives with his aunt and uncle. They treat him like he doesn’t even exist and his room is a cupboard under the stairs. The reason he lives with these horrible people is because his parents died at the hand of the antagonist Voldemort the greatest evil in the wizarding world. I find the book very interesting and descriptive. The author did a very well job making this book and this series in general. There are parts that made me quite sad as important things went on. Such as how someone very dear to Harry died right in front of him or how he has to struggle through having a very mean and evil teacher controlling Hogwarts. There are a lot of twists and times where you don’t know what to expect. J.K. Rowling created pure perfection in a paper back cover that will most likely live on and entertain many generations to come and withstand the test of time. Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix was a very thick book with eight hundred seventy pages and definitely not the last nor biggest book in the series. So far this book is my favorite and I recommend it to anyone looking for a great and long read. I believe J.K. Rowling did a amazing job in describing areas, characters and magical creatures in the book and the whole series. I also believe that this is straight from the heart and mind of the author and will inspire many whether it be adult or child to pursue their dreams and to never give up on what they believe in. The characters are all filled with such description from the way they speak to their dreams that they wish to come true. When you first introduced to characters you get a description of what their wearing, what they look like and how they seem to appear in stater. The ending was both wrapped up well and made me want to read more from the other books. I know I will feel sad when I finish the last two books, but I will feel happy to have read these books. I suggest this book to someone between the ages of 7 to adult because this book has odd words some people may not be able to pronounce.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Journal (Hunger Games)

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Journal (Hunger Games)

By Scholastic

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was the most amazing book I have ever read. I am a huge fan of the original trilogy, and I am so glad that this book not only did justice to it, but in my opinion was superior to it. I was at first skeptical at the idea of Coriolanus Snow, the villain, being the main protagonist, but after reading the entire book, I wouldn't have had it any other way. I will say, there are about five pretty slow chapters, but the chapters after that COMPLETELY make up for it. Getting a peek into the mind of Coriolanus Snow was so interesting, especially to see how he articulated his thoughts and put them into words. The ending left me wanting more, and I hope one day we find out what happened to Lucy Gray. I do think the ending was extremely creative on Suzanne Collin's part, how she left it up to the reader to decide what happened to Lucy. I also love the fact that it implies at the end that Snow ends up marrying Livia Cardew, because that just adds so many more layers to the original trilogy. In the original trilogy, Plutarch Heavensbee's assitant is someone named Fulvia Cardew, meaning if Snow married Livia Cardew, Fulvia is most likely related to him in some way. Another thing I loved about this book is the amount of characters that are related to the original trilogy characters, it really adds world building and interest to the story. It really shows how the wealthiest families stay the wealthiest, and how hardly anyone else climbs up to their level. It gives an example of aristocracy, and how Coriolanus was pressured ot keep the wealthy Snow dynasty going. I also love how different this generation of Capitol people and children see the Hunger Games, how different it is from the Capitol people and children in the original trilogy. In the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, everyone sees the Hunger Games as a form of power over the districts. While in the original Trilogy, everyone sees it as a harmless form of entertainment. This story just had so many layers, and I cried especially when Sejanus was executed. Suzanne Collins did an amazing job with making you love this character, and then another amazing job with writing his death as painfully as possible. Lucy Gray's character was also so cleverly written, with how intelligent she was. Another fun detail in this novel is Coriolanus's hatred for mockingjays, obviously connecting back to Katniss Everdeen being the "mockingjay" for the revolution in the original trilogy. In conclusion, I would HIGHLY recommend this book!

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games)

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games)

By Suzanne Collins

Suzanne Collins delivers a stunning finale to "The Hunger Games" trilogy with "Mockingjay," a gripping and emotionally charged masterpiece that will leave readers breathless until the very end. From the outset, "Mockingjay" plunges us back into the dystopian world of Panem, where Katniss Everdeen finds herself thrust into the heart of a revolution. Collins masterfully weaves together themes of power, rebellion, and sacrifice, creating a narrative that is both thought-provoking and deeply compelling. What sets "Mockingjay" apart is its unflinching portrayal of the consequences of war. As the rebellion intensifies and Katniss becomes the symbol of hope for a nation, we are confronted with the harsh realities of conflict: loss, betrayal, and the blurred lines between good and evil. Collins doesn't shy away from the complexities of war, and her characters grapple with their own moral dilemmas in a world where survival often comes at a great cost. At the heart of the story is Katniss Everdeen, a heroine whose strength and vulnerability captivate us from the very first page. As she navigates the treacherous landscape of revolution, Katniss undergoes a profound journey of self-discovery, grappling with her identity, her relationships, and her role in shaping the future of Panem. Her resilience in the face of adversity is both inspiring and heartbreaking, and readers will find themselves rooting for her until the very end. Collins' writing is as sharp and evocative as ever, transporting us effortlessly into the dystopian world of Panem. Her vivid descriptions and taut pacing keep the tension high throughout, culminating in a breathtaking finale that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. "Mockingjay" is a testament to Collins' storytelling prowess, and it solidifies her place as one of the greatest YA authors of our time. In conclusion, "Mockingjay" is a triumphant conclusion to an unforgettable trilogy. With its richly drawn characters, powerful themes, and heart-stopping action, it's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. Whether you're a fan of dystopian fiction or simply love a good story, "Mockingjay" is not to be missed. Highly recommended.

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret

By Judy Blume

This book represents the awkwardness of growing up. Margaret is experiences this difficulties that all of us girls can relate to. Judy Blume's heartwarming and interesting touch kept me from putting this book down. And the religious aspect, absolutely outstanding! Margaret's parents are Atheist, or don't believe in God. Margaret secretly prays to the God she felt is there in her heart, rather than what she learned from her parents. This book teaches us that growing up is difficult and that we aren't alone.

Full Tilt

Full Tilt

By Neal Shusterman

Emerson

This book is the best book I have ever read. As you are reading, it feels like you are a part of the book.

Restore Me (Shatter Me)

Restore Me (Shatter Me)

By Tahereh Mafi

Wow. No words. This book though heavy on government and politics was easy to race through. I thoroughly cannot wait to read Book 5!

Ultraviolet

Ultraviolet

By R. J. Anderson

Was a really good book. It had a very unexpected twist. I would totally read this book again. R.J. Anderson is a very good author.

Scarlett: The Sequel to Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind

Scarlett: The Sequel to Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind

By A Ripley

Scarlet This is one of my all time favourite books, it is mainly aimed at higher aged children 10+ and is dramatic and has a deep story line. The author writes it so that you know exactly how the main character feels. This is one of my favourite books by Cathy cassidy (I have nearly read them all!) and I truly recommend it.

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