Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1 edition (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0439023491

Series: The Hunger Games
Book 1: The Hunger Games
Book 2: Catching Fire
Book 3: Mockingjay Book 4: WARNING: SPOILERS ahead. Do not read on if you have not finished the first installment. Reader's Annotation: The long-awaited sequel to the stunning Hunger Games,

Catching Fires takes off where Katniss has won the Hunger Games against all odds.
Now, she and Peeta should be happy. But the Capitol isn't happy with what's happened at all, and they may not let it go.

From School Library Journal: Starred Review. Gr 7 Up--Every year in Panem, the dystopic

nation that exists where the U.S. used to be, the

Capitol holds a televised tournament in which two teen "tributes" from each of the surrounding districts fight a gruesome
battle to the death. In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the tributes from impoverished District Twelve, thwarted the Gamemakers, forcing them to let both teens survive. In this rabidly anticipated sequel, Katniss, again the
narrator, returns home to find herself more the center of attention than ever. The sinister President Snow surprises her with a visit, and
Katniss’s fear when Snow meets with her alone is both palpable and justified. Catching Fire is divided into three parts: Katniss and Peeta’s mandatory Victory Tour through the districts, preparations for the 75th Annual Hunger Games, and a truncated version of the Games
themselves. Slower paced than its predecessor, this sequel explores the nation of Panem: its power structure, rumors of a secret district, and a spreading rebellion, ignited by Katniss and Peeta’s subversive victory. Katniss also deepens as a character. Though initially bewildered by the attention paid to her, she comes almost to embrace her status as the rebels’ symbolic leader. Though more of the story
takes place outside the arena than within, this sequel has enough action to please Hunger Games fans and leaves enough questions tantalizingly
unanswered for readers to be desperate for the next installment. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Official Website: http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/

Official Trailer:

The Hunger Games, By Suzanne Collins

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (September 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439023483

Reader's Annotation: In a dystopian future where a reigning government reminds the people of their place in society (and discouraging uprisings) by hosting a reality based TV show meets roman gladiator ring where two tributes (one boy and one girl) from each of the 12 districts are chosen by lottery to fight to the death on camera. Katniss, a black market hunter in district 12, volunteers for the games to replace her young sister. But, will her game hunting background really be enough to keep her alive in the ring?

Summary: "In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old KatnissÆs young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining districts female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. CollinsÆs characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like Survivor and American Gladiator. Book one of a planned trilogy." ~Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK 

UnLibrarian's Opinion: I absolutely loved loved this novel. I would go so far as to say it is one of the finest YA novels out there. I can't wait to read the next installment. Evoking the classical lust for blood in a roman arena while feeding off the current state of the iraqi war, 24-hours news coverage, and reality TV, Ms. Collins pulls out all the stops with this pertinent roller coaster ride that is both relatable and fantastic. A MUST READ. 

Extras: Official Trilogy Website http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/

Suzanne Collins Official Website: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Interview via Borders Media with Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games/Catching Fire)! Part One Below. Visit Link for the Continuation.

 

Lionsgate acquires rights to the film adaptation due out in 2011! 

Via Wikipedia: Lionsgate Entertainmenthas acquired worldwide distribution rights to a film adaptation of The Hunger Games, which will be produced by Nina Jacobson's Color Force production company. Collins will adapt the novel for film herself. IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/

Awards- Via Wikipedia The Hunger Games has also received a number of awards and honors, including being a USA Today and New York Times Best Seller, and being named one of Publishers Weekly's "Best Books of the Year" in 2008 and a New York Times "Notable Children's Book of 2008".

Other authors speak out on why they love the Hunger Games: 

"[The Hunger Games] is a violent, jarring, speed-rap of a novel that generates nearly constant suspense...I couldn't stop reading."

--Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly Review

Read Full EW Review:
http:/​/​www.ew.com/​ew/​article/​0,,20223443,00.html

"I was so obsessed with this book I had to take it with me out to dinner and hide it under the edge of the table so I wouldn't have to stop reading. The story kept me up for several nights in a row, because even after I was finished, I just lay in bed wide awake thinking about it...The Hunger Games is amazing."

--Stephenie Meyer, author of The Twilight Saga

"The Hunger Games is as close to perfect an adventure novel as I've ever read. I could not put it down. Collins has transformed the ancient Labyrinth myth into a terrifyingly believable tale of future America. Readers will be hungry for more."

--Rick Riordan, author of The Percy Jackson Series and The 39 Clues

Trailers: 

Official 
Watch The Hunger Games: Suzanne Collins in Entertainment | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Fan Made and Incredible!  

 

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Death #1: Death at Death's Door, By Jill Thompson

By: Jill Thompson
Consultant: Neil Gaiman
Publisher: Vertigo/DC
Publish Date: 203
ISBN: 1563899388
Page #: 208
Classification: Manga
Genre: Graphic Novel, American Manga
Age Level: Older Teens
Series Title: Death
Subjects: Death, Dreaming, Humanity

Reader's Annotation:

Synopsis: Meet Death, The little sister of the King of Dreams, Sandman. Created from Neil Gaiman's beloved Sandman series, Death at Death's door tells the story of some visiters from hell (literally) who happen to stop by Death's apartment as she was the last person they remembered being nice to them. Having left hell (and an empty hell and a locked door for the Sandman find), the hell-acious servants turn up at Death's Door, and Delirium and Despair (also siblings of the Sandman and Death called the Endless) make a delirious and despairing decision to through a party for them. Not going well, Death is left with the mess to clean up, to save the afterlife, and do what she does best: end things. And in this case, save the waking hours, or in other words: save the day.

Told from Death's point of view, fans of the Sandman are in for a treat, especially if they can't get enough Sandman and are bigs fans of his sister Death. Delirium has her moments were she evokes the Delirium of Sandman but Despair really isn't dark enough. Death at Death's Door was a fun diversion, but for the hardcore fan, it will be a matter of taste. The art takes on the manga genre, totally black, grey, and white, and with The Endless in full manga eye regalia, fans will either throw it against the wall or appreciate it for what it is. It is not comparable to the art of either Death: The High Cost of Living, or The Sandman Series. Rather, it is a journey into somewhere else.

Notes: The story from Death #1 is taken primarily from Gaiman's  Seasons of Mists (Sandman, Volume #4) and translated to the YA audience.

Stars: 4

Extras: Jill Thompson Online http://www.jillthompsonart.com/

Images of Death & Sandman from Gaiman's Original Adult Graphic Novel

http://www.vamp.org/Gothic/Images/death-image.html

Neil Gaiman: http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Comics/

Stardust, By Neil Gaiman

By: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: Harper Perennial

Publish Date: June 19, 2001

ISBN: 0060934719

Page #: 272 

Classification: Fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: Older Teen
Series Title: n/a
Subjects: Romance, Good Vs. Evil, Fairyland, Magic, Comedy, Pirates, Fallen Stars

Reader's Annotation: In the town of Wall, nobody goes beyond the wall. But when Tristan sneaks through he finds out his heritage is something out of Fairyland. In this romantic adventure you'll meet Falling Stars, Flying Pirates, King & Princes, & the most evil queen in Fairyland!

Synopsis: Written in a style reminiscent of the greatest Fairytales ever told, Stardust tells the story of Tristan Thorn. In Tristan's town of Wall, there is a Wall that separates the town from the forbidden "other" side. Tristan's mother comes from the other side of that wall, although Tristan is unaware of his heritage. After falling in love with the prettiest girl in Wall, Tristan sets out to bring her a fallen star in exchange for her hand. Sneaking beyond the wall, Tristan's whole world is changed as he sets out on the most romantic, magical, journey of his life. Although by the time he finds his fallen star, his heart may betray him for another.

Not your average Fairytale, the master storyteller Neil Gaiman writes what is one of my favorite books of all time. A comedy, a love story, and an Adventure, both boys and girls can get on board. 

Notes: 

Stardust was made into a film in 2007 starring Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Sienna Miller, Ricky Gervais, Jason Flemyng, Peter O’Toole, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro! Though everyone always says don't see it before reading the book, I am going to say it with even more fervor here.

Stars: 5

Extras: Neil Gaiman's Teen Page for Stardust  http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/Stardust/ed/118/

IMDB  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486655/

MOVIE OFFICIAL http://www.stardustmovie.com/index2.html

Dead Is The New Black, By Marlene Perez

By:  Marlene Perez

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Paperbacks; 1 edition 
• Publishing Date: September 1, 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152064087
• Classification: Fiction
  

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal/Mystery 

Age Level: Young Adult

Series Title:

Dead Is The New Black

Dead Is So Last Year

Dead Is a State of Mind

Subjects: Popularity, Death, Mystery, Psychic Abilities, Sisters

Reader's Annotation: The cheerleader in Daisy’s high school (not to mention her ex-best friend) is setting a trend, but instead of her usual sun tanned glow, she is sporting a pale-skinned, kiss of death look, cleavage, and stiletto heals!

Synopsis: In city of Nightshade, the novel’s main characters are the two Giordano sisters who hold a psychic power that tunes them into the other side of things. And when bodies start turning up the sisters start tuning into what could be causing it. Is it a vampire? Is it the cheerleader? With her mother a psychic  (working for the police station), the sisters find themselves trying to figure out what has their mom stumped. Humor abounds in this modern commentary of all things trendy. From cheerleading squads to zombified-trend setting, readers will be confused (in all the right ways) by the plot until the very last page.

Stars: 4

Extras: Marlene Perez is the author of Unexpected Development, which was named the ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. 

Author Website: http://www.marleneperez.com/