Reading Abounds

Title: Life as we Knew It Series: The Last Survivors Series (Sometimes called the Moon Crash Series) Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 10855 Description: After a meteor hits the moon, teen Miranda must quickly grow from self-absorbed to selfless as she and her family try to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Rubric Rating: Level 4 - Love It! Why I Read It: This book was given to me by a co-worker to read.  I love that the colophon (the page with the publication date, printers information etc) is designed like a moon. Lori's Notes: Life as we Knew It is a dystopian look at the world after a series of environmental catastrophes.  The first book in the Last Survivors series we find Miranda and her family struggling to survive in the country after a meteor has crashed into the moon pushing it closer to the Earth.  This throws the seasons out of balance and the family must struggle to find food, heat and safety in a new, sometimes hostile w...

Title: Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 Series: Michael Vey Author: Richard Paul Evans Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 57580 Description: Michael Vey, a fourteen-year-old who has Tourette's syndrome and special electric powers, finds there are others like him, and must rely on his powers to save himself and the others from a diabolical group seeking to control them. Rubric Rating: Level 4 - Love It! Why I Read It: This book was recommended to me by a co-worker.  The cover looked very interesting too.  Although, at first glance I thought it might be a more sci-fi oriented title  He looks like he's on a space ship to me.  Nope, he's not.  That's the prison cell. Lori's Notes:   Michael has always been a little bit different.  Dealing with his Tourette's Syndrome and constantly moving form city to city has made life hard for Michael.  He has a good friend in Ostin who is exceptionally smart, funny and lives in the same apartment building...

Title: Catching Fire Series: The Hunger Games Trilogy Author:  Suzanne Collins Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 36682 Description:  By winning the annual Hunger Games, District 12 tributes Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have secured a life of safety and plenty for themselves and their families, but because they won by defying the rules, they unwittingly become the faces of an impending rebellion. Rubric Rating: Level 3 - Laud It! Why I Read It: I enjoyed the Hunger Games so much I immediately picked up this novel to read next. Lori's Notes:  As a special 75th Hunger Games approaches, the districts are showing signs of rebellion and President Snow wants to maintain his oligarchy.   This year the combatants in the Hunger Games will be chosen from previous winners putting Peeta and Katniss in jeopardy once again.  They must find a way to outwit the games and escape from the Capitol once and for all.  But we also see Katniss winning over citizens o...

Title: Just Ella Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 167305 Description: In this continuation of the Cinderella story, Fifteen-year-old Ella finds that accepting Prince Charming's proposal ensnares her in a suffocating tangle of palace rules and royal etiquette, so she plots to escape. Rubric Rating: Level 1: Leave it. Why I Read It:  The premise of the story sounded quite interesting.  What happens once Cinderella moves into the castle. Lori's Notes: A slow read, starting after Ella has moved into the castle.  Happily ever after is not everything she dreamed it would be.  The prince isn't so charming, life isn't so good, she's bored and repressed, and falling in love with her tutor.  The action in this novel is a long time coming and not worth the read.  I was happy when the book ended. Recommended Reader: If you have a girl who is a budding feminist and enjoys fairytales this would be a good selection.  Grade 6 a...