The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Collins, S. (2008). The hunger games. New York: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 0439023483

Plot
Katniss Everdeen is a 16 year old girl who lives in a harsh, dystopian, future world. She hunts and forages with her friend Gale to feed her family. When her 12 year old sister is selected to participate in the deadly Hunger Games (a sick, nationally televised fight to the death between randomly chosen teenagers from each district of the country), Katniss volunteers to take her place. Joining her on her quest to survive the games is a boy from her district, Peeta. Peeta and Katniss join forces to survive. Peeta has told Katniss that he loves her on television before the games began. This is popular with the audience. It is decided that two may survive the games this year, instead of just one. Katniss uses her hunting experience to survive. When Peeta is hurt, she protects him. But she defies the government on two occassions. Once when she uses flowers to decorate the body of a young girl she had made an alliance with after another contestant has killed her. She defies the government again when she and Peeta are crossed-up and told that there will only be one survivor, after all. They decide to eat poison berries, instead. The powers that be relent. But now Katniss is in danger from the government she openly defied on national television. She must pretend that she is in love with Peeta to explain her actions. It is then that she learns that Peeta really does love her. The book ends as they return to their home district. The story continues in the second book of the trilogy, Catching Fire.

Critical Evaluation
This is an exciting and fast-paced thriller. Collins writing has evolved to a high level. There is tragedy and tenderness portrayed with equal skill. She is an excellent descriptive writer. The dystopian setting and brutal conditions of Katniss' world is vividly depicted. Collins puts the reader in the position of rooting for a character in the barbaric Hunger Games, while simultaneously being appalled and fascinated by them. There are obvious reflections of our own society in these brutal games. This is a wonderful new series by Collins.

Readers Annotation
Katniss Everdeen volunteers to be a contestant in the televised, brutal Hunger Games to save her little sister. If she wins, she will have fame and fortune and her family will be safe. If she loses, she dies. To win, she must kill everyone else in the games. Her story is thrilling and heartbreaking at the same time.

About the Author

American Suzanne Collins is the author of the best selling YA series The Underland Chronicles. The Hunger Games trilogy is her second entry into the world of tween literature and represents a significant step forward for her as it has garnered a huge cross-over adult audience and a movie deal. She is the daughter of an Air Force officer and grew up in Europe and on the East Coast. She began as a children's television writer. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and two teenage children.

Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalk Ideas: Friendship, betrayal, bravery

Reading Level: Grade 6+
Interest Level: Grade 7+
Challenge Issues: Violence. This book could be defended on the basis of it's overall message that what is happening is wrong. It is a multiple award winner.

This is included because it is the first book in Suzanne Collins breathtaking new trilogy.

Cirque Du Freak: Tunnels of Blood

Cirque Du Freak: Tunnels of Blood by Darren Shan
Shan, D. (2003). Cirque du freak: tunnels of blood. New York: Little Brown.
ISBN: 0316607630

Plot

Tunnels of Blood is Book 3 in the series. Half-vampire Darren Shan has made a friend in the Cirque du Freak, Evra. They travel together with Mr. Crepsley to his home town. There, Darren meets a girl, Debbie, and starts dating her. By night, he is a vampire's assistant. By day, he is a normal boy dating a girl. When there are reports of bodies being found under the city, drained of blood, Evra and Darren decide to investigate. They trail Mr. Crespley at night and accidentally thwart his effort to dispose of a murderous vampire named Murlough. Murlough is a member of the Vampaneze. The Vampaneze are vampires who drink blood to the death of the human, unlike Darren and Mr. Crespley. Darren, Evra and Mr.Crespley set a trap for the crazed Murlough. Mr. Crespley will attempt to kill him. Darren is conflicted when he realizes that he is putting Debbie in danger. He must make a painful decision about the relationship.

Critical Evaluation

This is Book 3 in the series which means it completes the first trilogy. The series is written in 4 trilogies. The Vampanese are introduced in this book. They will become significant players in the story. This installment of the series is more bloody than the first book. This story becomes progressively more bloody with each book. However, the same thrilling pace is maintained. The story is told in vivid detail and is both thrilling and horrifying.

Readers Annotation

Darren Shan is a young boy who falls into a world of terror after he visits a freak show one night. This tale is as frightening as it is engrossing. Readers will find the third book in this series as thrilling and terrifying as the first two.

About the Author

Darren O'Shaughnessy is an Irish writer who writes under the name "Darren Shan." He was born in 1972 in London. Writing is a life-long love for him. He has been writing stories ever since he was a teenager. He worked in television before he was published. he is best known for the Cirque du Freak series of 12 books, which was originally published in The Saga of Darren Shan in the UK and Ireland. The Cirque du Freak series has become phenomenally popular with young adult readers.

Genre: Fanasy/Science Fiction, Horror

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalk Ideas: Trust, betrayal and friendship.

Reading Level: Grade 6+
Interest Level: Grade 4+
Challenge Issues: Violence. The violence in this story moves the plot. It is not gratuitous. This book could be defended on the basis of the number of well-respected book lists it appears upon and favorable reviews from well-respected sources.

This book is included because it is fun, exciting, well-written and popular with tweens.

Cirque Du Freak

Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan
Shan, D. (2001). Cirque du freak. New York: Little Brown
ISBN: 0439368766

Plot

Two boys, Darren Shan and his friend Steve, attend a strange show called "Cirque du Freak." Later, Steve sneaks back to the show and asks the vampire, Mr. Crepsley, to change him into a vampire. Mr. Crepsley refuses on the basis that Steve has "bad blood." Darren also sneaks back to the circus to steal the performing spider. The spider ends up biting Steve and putting him in a coma. The only way to save Steve, is for Darren to become Mr. Crepsley's assistant. Darren becomes a half-vampire, which Steve believes is his right. As Darren learns follow the vampire way, Steve swears revenge on his friend.

Critical Evaluation

This story is face-paced and thrilling. The writing is compelling. There is violence in this book, but it is not gratuitous. The author writes in the first person. Shan describes in believable and vivid detail what it means to become a vampire. But the central theme of the first book in this series is betrayal. This book is truly scary. It is Book 1 in a series of 12 volumes.

Readers Annotation

Darren Shan is a young boy who falls into a world of terror after he visits a freak show one night. This tale is as frightening as it is engrossing. Readers will fall into this world of terror along with Darren and be carried away on a terrifying thrill ride.

About the Author

Darren O'Shaughnessy is an Irish writer who writes under the name "Darren Shan." He was born in 1972 in London. Writing is a life-long love for him. He has been writing stories ever since he was a teenager. He worked in television before he was published. he is best known for the Cirque du Freak series of 12 books, which was originally published in The Saga of Darren Shan in the UK and Ireland. The Cirque du Freak series has become phenomally popular with young adult readers.

Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction, Horror

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalk Ideas: Would you become a vampire if it was the only way to save your best friend?

Reading Level: Grade 6+
Interest Level: Grade 7+
Challenge Issues: Violence. The violence in this story moves the plot. It is not gratuitous. This book could be defended on the basis of the number of well-respected book lists it appears upon and favorable reviews from well-respected sources.

This book is included because it is a great read and very popular with tweens.

Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle by Hayao Miyazaki
Miyazaki, H. (2004). Howl's moving castle. San Francisco: VIZ Media, LLC
ISBN: 1421500906

Plot

Eighteen year old Sophie is placed under a curse by the Witch of Waste that turns her into a 90 year old woman. Howl is a wizard  who lives in a large moving castle. Sophie is ashamed and runs and hides in Howl's moving castle. She makes friends with Calcifer the fire demon who powers the castle. Howl and Calcifer are joined by a mysterious curse. Howl allows Sophie to stay and clean his castle. He is troubled and unhappy. Sophie and Howl become friends. Eventually they must defeat Suliman, the royal sorceress of His Majesty of Kingsbury who secretly runs the kingdom and wants Howl's heart for herself. Sophie travels to the past and discovers that Calcifer was once a falling star who was caught by Howl. To save the star, Howl had given him his heart. This is why Howl can never give his heart to another. Sophie returns to the present. She places an injured and fading Calcifer into Howl's chest and they both are restored to health. Suliman gives up here quest to control Howl's heart. Howl and Sophie admit their love for each other.

Critical Evaluation

This is a story about self love, humility and forgiveness. The curse on Sophie can only be lifted by Sophie when she learns how to love herself and accept love. She forgives the witch who has cursed her. Howl must regain his heart by accepting the help of another. This is a picture book, but it is of interest level to anyone who loves anime. It is based on Diana Wynne Jones' award winning novel of the same name. The illustrations are by Japanese anime master Hayao Miyazaki. This book is not to be missed by anime aficionados.

Readers Annotation

This is an amazing adventure set in a fantasy world illustrated by anima master Hayao Miyazaki. This book is a must read for anime/fanasy aficionados.

About the Author

Diane Wynne Jones was born in London in 1934. She is a British writer of fantasy novels for children and adults. Born in 1941, Hayao Miyazaki an Academy Award winning Japanese animator. Miyazaki's stories often involve the themes of humanity's relationship to nature, the pitfalls of technology and the difficulty of maintaining a nonviolence. He is immensely succesful in Japan and has enjoyed crossover success in the United States with Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away. He was named one of the Time 100 Most Influential people in 2005.

Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts, Art

Booktalk Ideas: Self love, forgiveness

Reading Level: Grade 4+
Interest Level: Grade 4+
Challenge Issues: None

This book is included because it is a beautiful picture book targeting the early tween audience.

Spirited Away

Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki
Miyazaki, H. (2002). Spirited away. San Francisco: Viz Communications Inc.
ISBN: 9780329382674

Plot

Ten year old Chihiro and her family are moving to a new town. They stop at an abandoned amusement park where food is waiting for them. Chihiro's parents eat the food, but Chihiro does not. Her parents turn into pigs. Chihiro is helped by a boy named Haku, who warns her to leave. But it is too late. Spirits begin to swirl around the park and she is forced to work for the witch Yubaba, the owner of the park's bathhouse. She is put to work bathing and serving the most difficult spirits in the bathhouse. She is rewarded by a river spirit who has been heavily polluted, with a gift of medicine. She later uses this medicine to treat Haku who has been injured in his dragon form by Zeniba, Yubaba's sister. But Haku is still comatose. Chihiro travels to Zeniba's home to return a talisman belonging to her that haku had stolen in hopes that she will cure him. Zeniba informs Chihiro that her friendship and caring have cured her friend. As they return to the bathhouse, Chihiro realizes that Haku is a river spirit who saved her from drowning years earlier. This realization breaks the curse holding him to Yubaba. For Chihiro to be released from the witch, she must correctly identify which of a herd of pigs are her parents. When she correctly identifies that none are, she is released. Haku escorts her to the edge of the Spirit World and tells her her family is waiting on the other side. She returns to the car with her family, but she will never be the same.

Critical Evaluation

This series of books is based on the movie Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki. The illustrations are by Miyazaki. The story functions on multiple levels. On one level, it is a coming of age story as Chihiro must learn to overcome self-centered childishness and serve and help others. After her journey, she is not the same. She has made the transition to the next phase of her life. On another level, the story functions as social commentary about consumption, materialism and pollution. On yet another level, it is merely a wonderfully engaging story. Miyazaki is a master animator and his illustrations are beautiful.

Readers Annotation

When ten year old Chihiro's parents stop along the road for a bite to eat at a deserted amusement park, they are transformed into pigs and Chihiro is spirited away into a bizarre bathhouse of witches and dragons. She is made to serve the denizens there. She is forced to wash unclean spirits. Her only friend is badly injured and she must undertake a dangerous journey to try and save him.

About the Author
Born in 1941, Hayao Miyazaki an Academy Award winning Japanese animator. Miyazaki's stories often involve the themes of humanity's relationship to nature, the pitfalls of technology and the difficulty of maintaining a nonviolent existence. He is immensely succesful in Japan and has enjoyed crossover success in the United States with Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away. He was named one of the Time 100 Most Influential people in 2005.

Genre: Fanatsy/Science Fiction, Anime, Graphic Novel

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts, Art

Booktalk Ideas: Family, friends, responsibility

Reading Level: Grade 4+
Interest Level: Grade 4+
Challenge Issues: None

This is a brilliant work that functions on many levels. It is a book that challenges tweens to interpret meaning.

The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Gaiman, N. (2008). The graveyard book (1st ed.). New York: Harper Collins

ISBN: 9780060530921

Plot
When a toddler's family is murdered by a mysterious, knife wielding stranger named Jack, he wanders off into a graveyard where he is adopted by the ghostly denizens there. The kindly Owens couple give him his name: Nobody Owens. Bod has to learn how to navigate his environment as a living person. He meets a living girl named Scarlett when he is 4 and she is 5. They visit the tomb of the ancients and encounter the frightening Sleer. Scarlett moves away. His guardian, Silas (a wise vampire-like creature), leaves him at 6 in the care of a woman named Miss Lupescu who later proves to be a werewolf and saves him from the underworld of ghouls. He develops a crush on a ghost in potter's field named Liza when he is 8. He ventures into the living town to sell a broach stolen from the ancient tomb to purchase a proper gravestone for her. There he encounters evil and barely escapes. He is sent back out into the world at 13 to attend school. But he uses his graveyard skills to right injustices there and exposes himself as dangerously different and strange. He returns to the graveyard and continues his education there until Scarlett returns one day. She begins to piece together the mystery of what happened to his family. Scarlett and Bod are confronted by Jack and his evil cohorts from a secret society named the "Jack of All Trades." They run to the graveyard, where Bod must try to outsmart the Jacks to save Scarlett and himself. In the process, he will lose something he never knew he needed.

Critical Evaluation

The Graveyard Book is truly scary novel. It is beautifully written. It is, at heart, a coming-of-age story, where the protagonist has to go through painful trials to grow into a man. Beyond that, it is just a great story. It is suspenseful, inventive, creepy, exciting and funny all at once. Gaiman is a masterful storyteller. This book is written at a level appropiate for tweens. It is very scary, however, so it is not for everyone. This story won the Newbery Medal in 2008.

Readers Annotation

Except for the fact that he is being raised by ghosts in a graveyard and that his family was murdered by a heinous slasher and that his life is in danger from the same man and that his name is Nobody, Bod is a normal boy. This is the supernatural, mysterious, scary and, sometimes, humorous telling of his journey through this strange upbringing to his emergence in the equally scary living world. This book is a suspense-filled thrill ride.

About the Author

Neil Gaiman was born in England in 1960 and raised in West Sussex. As a young person he read C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and Edgar Allen Poe, among others. His writing career began as a journalist. He then moved on to graphic novels and produced the popular and award winning Sandman series. His books for children include the New York Times bestselling Coraline. He currently resides in Minneapolis and is a divorced father of three.

Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction, Horror

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalk Ideas: Facing fears

Reading Level: Grade 5+
Interest Level: Grade 5+
Challenge Issues: The Supernatural, Murder. I would defend this book on the basis that the ghosts represent something more than just manifestations of supernatural beings. The depiction of the murder is probably not something I would want anyone under the age of 13 or so reading. But, it is beautifully written and it is the Newbery Medal winner.

This book is included because it is a great, scary story that just happened to win the Newbery Medal.

Catching Fire

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Collins, S. (2009). Catching fire (1st ed.). New York: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 0439023491

Plot

Katniss Everdeen has won the brutal Hunger Games. But when she returns home to District 12, life is not as easy as it was promised to be. First of all, she feels torn between Peeta, the boy she won the games with, and Gale, her long time friend. Secondly, her defiant actions during the games have had unforeseen and dire consequences. The President of Panem is upset with the underlying feelings of rebellion her actions have stirred. She must take a cruel victory tour through the vanquished districts with Peeta and pretend that the only reason she did what she did was because of her overwhelming feelings of love for him. When this does nothing to quell the defiance of the people, she is thrown back into a super Hunger Games: one in which only past winners compete. She and Peeta team-up with other competitors. When she learns of one's plan to harness lightning to destroy other players, she shoots an electrified arrow into the force field containing the arena. This destroys the arena and temporarily paralyzes Katniss. When she awakes, she is being transferred to District 13, a district that supposedly had been destroyed generations ago. Her friend Gale is with her and informs her that he got her sister and mother out in time. She is confused by this. Why are they not home in District 12? Gale tells her, "Katniss, there is no District 12."

Critical Evaluation

Catching Fire starts out slower than The Hunger Games, but then rapidly picks up pace to become exciting and action-packed. Collins' writing is as descriptive and gripping as ever. The tour through the districts is heart breaking. Katniss' character is deepened as her dreams are haunted by faces of the vanquished from the games. The book ends with a turn of events that leaves the reader hungry for more.

Readers Annotation

Katniss Everdeen thought her problems were over once she won The Hunger Games. Little did she know that her troubles had just begun. Her defiant actions in the games have stirred rebellion in the districts. Now her life and those of all she loves are threatened if she can't play the government's game exactly as planned.

About the Author

American Suzanne Collins is the author of the best selling YA series The Underland Chronicles. The Hunger Games trilogy is her second entry into the world of tween literature and represents a significant step forward for her as it has garnered a huge cross-over adult audience and a movie deal. She is the daughter of an Air Force officer and grew up in Europe and on the East Coast. She began as a children's television writer. She lives in Conneticut with her husband and two tennage children.

Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalk Ideas: Friendship, betrayal, bravery

Reading Level: Grade 6+
Interest Level: Grade 7+
Challenge Issues: Violence. This book could be defended on the basis of it's overall message is that what is happening is wrong.There is social commentary which makes the violence an integral part of the plot.

This is included because it is the second book in Suzanne Collins breathtaking new trilogy.

Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge to terabithia. New York: Harper Collins

ISBN: 0690046359

Plot

A poor, country boy named Jesse dreams of being the fastest runner in the 5^th Grade and of his artwork. When he is beaten by a girl on the first day of school it is the beginning of an unusual friendship. Leslie is the new girl in school. She is considered weird by the other kids, but Jesse doesn’t care. They swing across a stream on a rope to a land they create in their imaginations called “Terabithia.” Hey are happy in their own fantasy world. Leslie is fearless and teaches Jesse to take chances, even though his family is destitute and life is hard. When Jess accepts an invitation to an art gallery from a teacher he has a crush on, there are tragic consequences. He will need to summon the courage Leslie has taught him to accept what has happened.

Critical Evaluation

The 1977 Newbery Winner is beautifully written with depth and poignancy. The juxtaposition of the rich outcast with the poor kid is a study in class distinctions. She can afford to dream. Jess's dreams in his art notebooks are fanciful. But his dreams for life are small and uncertain. Her family can afford whimsical notions such as painting a room gold to match the sunset. His family cannot afford paint. The disparity in their financial situation impacts the relationship each has with their parents. Beyond that, Bridge to Terabithia is a beautiful story of friendship. The two friends learn together about empathy and justice.

Readers Annotation

This is a beautiful story of friendship and imagination. Come along on the journey with Jess and Leslie as they create the wonderful land of Terabithia while dealing with the difficulties of their everyday lives.

About the Author:

Katherine Paterson was born in China in 1932, the daughter of Christian Missionaries. She wanted to write from an early age. She was an avid reader as her parents moved from place to place. She graduated from King College in Tennessee and before beginning work as a missionary worked in a school in Virginia for a year. This experience and the death of one of her son’s young friends inspired the story of Bridge to Terabithia. She also won the Newbery in 1981 for Jacob Have I Loved.

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Fantasy/Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalk ideas: Jess when he is told Leslie is gone.

Reading Level: Grade 4+
Interest Level: Grade 4+

Challenge Issues: Child death. I would defend this book on the basis that it is a beautiful told story of friendship and loss. These are things all young people need to learn to deal with.

This is included because it is a Newbury Winner and one of my favorite books.

The Two Towers

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

Book 2 of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Tolkien, J.R.R. (1954, 1965). The two towers (57^th printing). New York: Ballantine Books. 

Plot

As we rejoin the inhabitants of Middle Earth in Tolkien’s second book of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Fellowship of the Ring is in disarray. Boromir has fallen defending the Halflings, Sam and Frodo have departed on their own for Mordor, Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas are pursuing the orcs who have kidnapped Merry and Pippin. Sam and Frodo encounter the unsavory creature, Gollum, on their journey east. He is obsessed with the ring, but Frodo gains his trust and uses him as his guide through Mordor. The others are reunited as Pippin and Merry’s captors are vanquished by the Riders of Rohan, the Rohirrim. Gandalf returns from darkness as Gandalf the white wizard. He casts out the evil spirit inhabiting the King of Rohan, Theoden. The people of Rohan, including the King’s niece and nephew Eowyn and Eomer, join with Gandalf and Aragorn to defeat the minions of the powerful wizard Saruman, who is in league with Sauron. Sam and Frodo encounter Faramir, the brother of Boromir and a Captain of Gondor. He is wise and allows them to continue on their journey to Mordor. But Frodo is betrayed by Gollum and led into Shelob’s Lair. Shelob is a giant spider who bites and paralyzes Frodo. Sam, thinking Frodo dead, takes the ring. But once he realizes Frodo is still alive, he follows the orcs who are carrying him deeper into the bowels Mordor as the book ends.

Critical Evaluation

The Two Towers introduces compelling new characters to the story. We meet the valiant people of Rohan, including the beautiful and brave, yet emotionally tormented Eowyn, her brother Eomer and their uncle, the King, Theoden, who has been poisoned by the evil whisperings of his advisor, Wormtongue. We meet Faramir, brother of Boromir, Captain of Gondor who is noble and wise, but not favored by his father. We meet Treebeard, leader of the Ents. The Two Towers draws the battle lines into clear focus. As Frodo creeps closer to Mount Doom, armies must make decisions on how they may best help destroy Sauron. The descriptive language in The Two Towers, particularly in the chapter The Window on the West is some of the best in the trilogy.

Readers Annotations

One ring to rule them all, One ring to find them, One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them, In the land of Mordor, where the shadows lie. Follow Frodo’s terror-ridden journey through the hills of Emyn Muil and the Dead Marshes to Mordor where he must make his way to the fires of Mount Doom and cast the One Ring inside. Meet the brave and beautiful people of Rohan, who come to the aide of Gandalf and Aragorn. Lose yourself in the world of sword and sorcery conjured up by the master story-teller of this genre. The story told in The Two Towers was butchered in the movie. Rediscover Tolkien’s original story!

About the Author

Born in 1892, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was a professor of Anglo-Saxon from 1925 to 1945 at Pembroke College, Oxford. From 1945 until his retirement in 1945 he was Merton Professor of English Language and Literature. His chief interest was in the literary and linguistic tradition of the English West Midlands, especially in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. He is best known for The Lord of the Rings trilogy which he completed in 1955. The trilogy began with the book the Hobbit. The Hobbit’s genesis was from a doodle Tolkien made on a margin while grading papers one summer: “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” Many have seen parallels to the tumultuous times of Tolkien’s life (2 World Wars) in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien denied that his story was allegory. He claimed to have no control over the story. He described creativity as popping up through a river that runs over your head and allowing the flow to stream through you. Tolkien drew deeply on his knowledge of ancient mythology to flesh out his characters and plot. He died in 1973 as an icon in the fantasy genre

Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts and Mythology

Booktalk Ideas: You’ve played the video game. You’ve seen the movie. Neither can compare to the book.

Reading Level: 8+
Interest Level: 8+
Challenge Issues: None

The Two Towers is included because it is one of the greatest books of this genre.

The Fellowship of the Ring

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
Book 1 in the trilogy: The Lord of the Rings
Tolkien, J.R.R. (1965). The fellowship of the ring (61st ed.). New York: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 0345253434

Plot
The Dark Lord, Sauron, who long ago had created The One Ring to rule the other Rings of Power and gain control of Middle Earth, is searching for the long, lost ring. It is in the possession of an unassuming Hobbit named Frodo Baggins. Hobbits are gentle, small people who dwell in a peaceful land called the Shire. Frodo is tasked by the wizard Gandalf to carry the ring to Elrond Half-elven in Rivendell. There are gathered representatives from all of Middle Earth to decide the fate of the ring. Frodo volunteers to carry it deep into Mordor, the dwelling of the evil wraith Sauron, and throw it into the fires of Mount Doom (the only place it can be destroyed). Eight representatives from the various races of Middle Earth are chosen to accompany him: two men, an elf, a dwarf, Gandalf and three Hobbits who accompanied him from the Shire. This is the Fellowship of the Ring. They are chased by horrifying minions of the Dark Lord called Ringwraiths. They battle evil creatures called orcs in the Mines of Moria where Gandalf sacrifices himself to save the others. They visit Lothlorien, the realm of the powerful elf queen Galadriel. She gives them gifts to aid them on their journey. She gives them boats to travel down the River Anduin. Boromir, the heir to the Steward of city of men, Gondor, succumbs to the power of the ring and tries to take it from Frodo. Frodo realizes that the lure of the ring is too powerful to risk being around others. He sets off on his own towards Mordor, accompanied only by his friend, the Hobbit Sam. Orcs attack the remainder of the Fellowship. Boromir tries to defend the two remaining Hobbits, Merry and Pippin. But they are kidnapped by the orcs.

Critical Evaluation
The Fellowship of the Ring is the first book in the epic trilogy The Lord of the Rings. It is beautifully written with some of the best examples of descriptive language ever produced in English Literature. It has been borrowed from and imitated often, but never bettered. From the humble huts of the Shire to the glorious beauty of Rivendell to the dark horror of the Mines of Moria to the mysterious woods of Lothlorien and their powerful mistress, Galadriel, the Fellowship of the Ring describes a fantastical world in exquisite detail. The characters are heroic and flawed. The Lord of the Rings is arguably the greatest work of fiction ever written in the fantasy genre. The Fellowship of the Ring sets the foundation for the story. Young adult readers need to possess a high reading level to truly appreciate it. But it would behoove any tween possessing such skills to read the written word of this trilogy. The movie version was quite an accomplishment, but Tolkien needs to be read to be appreciated. No movie can do his words justice.

Readers Annotation
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them, In the Land of Mordor where the shadows lie. Let yourself escape into the marvelous world of Middle Earth. Meet small, but brave, Hobbits, powerful wizards, beautiful and mysterious elves, strong, yet flawed, men. Join them in their epic battle against the Dark Lord and his evil minions the Ringwraiths and the orcs as they struggle for possession of the Ring of Power.

About the Author
Born in 1892, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was a professor of Anglo-Saxon from 1925 to 1945 at Pembroke College, Oxford. From 1945 until his retirement in 1945 he was Merton Professor of English Language and Literature. His chief interest was in the literary and linguistic tradition of the English West Midlands, especially in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. He is best known for The Lord of the Rings trilogy which he completed in 1955. The trilogy began with the book The Hobbit. The Hobbit’s genesis was from a doodle Tolkien made on a margin while grading papers one summer: “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” Many have seen parallels to the tumultuous times of Tolkien’s life (2 World Wars) in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien denied that his story was allegory. He claimed to have no control over the story. He described creativity as popping up through a river that runs over your head and allowing the stream to flow through you. Tolkien drew deeply on his knowledge of ancient mythology to flesh out his characters and plot. He died in 1973 as an icon in the fantasy genre.

Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction
Curriculum Ties: Language Arts, Mythology
Booktalk Ideas: You’ve liked the movie? Now read the book. It’s infinitely better than the movie.
Reading Level: Grade 8+
Interest Level: 8+
Challenge Issues: None

This is included because it is the best work of the genre.

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane by Suzanne Collins

Book 2 in the series, The Underland Chronicles

Collins, S. (2004). Gregor and the prophecy of bane. Scholastic Inc.: New York.

ISBN: 0439731372

Plot 
Gregor returns to the Underland when his baby sister, Boots, is kidnapped. There he must embark on another quest. As in the first book of the series, Gregor the Overlander, he is joined on his quest by several of the strange creatures of the Underland. They are seeking to kill The Bane. It is prophesized that The Bane will be the destruction of the Underland. The rats think The Bane is Boots, Gregor’s little sister. The humans are convinced it is a rat. Gregor watches Boots and Luxa, the royal human princess, apparently drown on the quest. He decides to kill The Bane anyway. When he meets The Bane, it is a baby rat. Gregor cannot kill it as it is just a baby. When he returns to the human’s capitol city, he is put on trial for not killing The Bane. It is revealed that the true meaning of the prophecy is that the warrior’s heart will die if he kills The Bane. Gregor has done the right thing. Gregor discovers that Boots is alive, although there is no word of Luxa. Boots and Gregor return to the Overland with a new prophecy to ponder: The Prophecy of Blood.

Critical Evaluation 
Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane is a worthy follow-up to Gregor the Overlander. Once again, Collins’ writing is fast paced and action packed. Her plotting is suspenseful, full of exciting twists and turns. The book is written on an appropriate level for tweens. The violence is not graphic. Gregor is a character who under great duress chooses morality over military duty, political expediency and self-preservation. Young people who love heart-pounding, non-stop action in the fantasy genre will love Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane.

Reader’s Annotation 
Those who loved Gregor the Overlander will love its sequel Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane. We find Gregor embarked on another quest in the strange Underland. This time he must save his little sister who has been kidnapped by Underlanders and is marked for death by the rats. Gregor must assassinate the mysterious Bane to save the Underland. But will he be able to accomplish his quest and save his sister as well? This is just one of the dilemmas to be found in Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane.

About the Author Suzanne Collins is an American author born in 1964. She worked in children’s television before she became a young adult fiction writer. Gregor the Overlander was her first book. There are five books in the series. She followed it up with The Hunger Games trilogy, which has garnered her a cross over her adult audience. 

Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalk Ideas: What would you do if you had to choose between your survival and doing something you know is wrong?

Reading Level: Grade 5+
Interest level: Grade 5+
Challenge Issues: None

This book was included because it is an excellent story with high interest to the target audience written at an appropriate level.

Gregor the Overlander

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

Book 1 in the series, The Underland Chronicles

Collins, S. (2003). Gregor the overlander. Scholastic Inc.: New York.

ISBN: 0439435274

Plot 
Gregor’s family is poor. He lives in a New York City apartment building with his mother, his two little sisters and grandmother. His father disappeared when he was 8. He falls down a hole into a strange place called the Underland. The Underland is a world without sunlight where cockroaches, spiders, bats and rats are human size and speak. Gregor leads a band of humans, bats, spiders, and cock roaches on a quest to rescue his father who is being held prisoner by the rats, the bad guys of the Underland. Gregor and his band of Underworlders set off into rat territory. There are battles and betrayals. The group manages to save Gregor’s father. In the midst of battle, Gregor realizes that he is the main focus of the rats’ aggression. He determines to sacrifice himself taking as many rats with him as possible. He runs out onto an unstable precipice and is followed by many rats. Their combined weight collapses the rock face. Rats fall to their death. Gregor is saved by a giant bat. The battle with the rats is won, for now. Gregor returns to his family in New York City, but not before being made aware of a prophecy which predicts his return to the Underland.

Critical Evaluation 
This story is written for the tween audience. It is fast paced and tightly plotted. The action is nonstop, yet the violence is not graphic. This book is appropriate for young audiences on both reading and interest levels. Young readers who have lost loved ones or who have been given responsibilities not normally imparted to tweens will identify with the characters of Gregor and Luxa, the young Underland Queen.

Readers Annotation 

Gregor is an 11 year old boy who falls down a grate in his laundry room into a strange, new world called the Underland. There he becomes an unwilling warrior and leads a coalition of Underlanders on a quest to rescue a fellow Overlander imprisoned there. Could this Overlander be his missing father? Gregor’s adventure will change him and the Underland. It may solve the biggest mystery of his life.

Information About the Author

Suzanne Collins is an American author born in 1964. She worked in children’s television before she became a young adult fiction writer. Gregor the Overlander was her first book. There are five books in the series. She followed it up with The Hunger Games trilogy, which has garnered her a cross over her adult audience.

Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction 

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts 
Booktalk Ideas: Facing scary new challenges. 
Reading Level: Grade 5+
Interest Level: Grade 5+
Challenge Issues: None

This book was included because it is an excellent story with high interest to the target audience written at an appropriate level.