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Who would like this book? People 8th grade and up who like futuristic novels similar to The Hunger Games series.

The goods on this book: In a distant future, the United States has devolved into two warring factions and a world in which a few people are privileged and rich and the rest of the population struggle for food and medicine. These conflicting worlds come alive with the two narrators. June, from the wealthy upper class, has amazing talent for fighting and climbing and is about to take her place in the Republic’s army. Day, a well-known outlaw from the underclass, is just as talented and struggles to help his mother and brothers, though his mother thinks that he has died. As Day robs a hospital to get medicine for his little brother who has a virulent strain of the plague, he crosses paths with June’s brother, a commander with the Republic. This ill-fated encounter catapults the plot forward and brings the lives of June and Day together. I really cared about each of them as their lives unfold under the pressure of an oppressive government. The complex and surprising plot, along with the details of the dystopian world, kept me turning pages. I appreciated that the book’s ending is satisfying even as it leads to Prodigy, the next book in the trilogy.

The details: 305 pages, 2011    Review by Samrarian

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Review by Cadence

Who would like this book? I think the target audience is mostly teen girls and boys because its written in a way that most teens seem to like.

The goods on this book: The story takes place in the future, where everyone is ugly  until they turn 16, when they get an operation to become pretty and go to live in a different part of town. The main character, Tally, is the last of her friends to turn 16, so she’s left in uglyville by herself. She befriends another girl, who later decides to run away to a place that there are only rumors about. The Smoke. Tally has to decide what to do. I really liked the book. I thought it moved with a pretty good pace and had good imagery.

The details: 406 pp.  2005  Review by Cadence

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Review by Cadence W.

Who would like this book? The books could be for anyone. It has suspense and some romance.

Why? This book is the last in the Matched series. Cassia has to make lots of choices to play it safe, or do what she thinks is right, even if it’s dangerous. A plague breaks out, and Xander, Cassia, and Ky all play a big part in finding the cure. Is there actually a Pilot? You will find out. I think this book isn’t as good as the ones before it, but it does end the trilogy pretty well. The story is very well written and there are lots of unexpected turns of events.

The details: 512 pp. 2012  Review by Cadence

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Who would like this book? Readers, grades 8 and up, who like dystopian fiction such as The Hunger Games with lots of riveting fight scenes will want to check out this book and series.

Why? In a culture set in a Chicago of the distant future, people are divided into five factions: Abnegation, Candor, Dauntless, Erudite, and Amity. Beatrice Prior has been raised in Abnegation, taught to be selfless. At the age of sixteen, all members of the culture are tested and can then choose another faction if they are willing to leave their families. When her time comes to decide, Beatrice learns a disturbing secret and makes a surprising choice with violent consequences. The faction that she chooses takes only ten initiates, and the candidates must fight and endure abuse as they prove themselves and face their fears. There were too many gruesome fight scenes for me, and the book is definitely not for the tenderhearted (though there is a tender romance in the midst of the terror). I would prefer more background about this world, how it came to be, how it survives, and what is beyond it. Readers focused on the action will be too engrossed to quibble about these details. The action clips along, and the ending has some clever, surprising twists. It’s The Hunger Games on steroids. The sequel, Insurgent, is available, and a third book is coming out in 2013.

The details: 487 pp. 2011

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Review by Amryn

Who would like this book? Anybody who likes dystopian romance and government. The age group this book would fall under would be from about 13 to 16ish, but some people might like this book otherwise.

Why? This book takes place in the society a place where everything is perfect and safe. There is no running, there are only 100 selected songs and paintings allowed, you can have only 1 artifact, and when you turn 17 you are matched to someone who would make great children. Then when Cassia is matched with her long time friend Xander, she goes to read about him and Ky’s face pops up on the port along with Xander’s. Now Cassia has to choose who to be with, Xander her long time best friend and childhood play mate or Ky an aberration from the outer provinces.

The details: 369 pp. 2010  Review by Amryn

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Review by Cheyenne W.

Who would like this book? I think all ages would enjoy this book, but it is mainly directed at young adults (teens or older). Both boys and girls, and anybody who likes action/ drama/non fiction books will like this book.

Why? Two teenagers are chosen from each District 1-12: One boy and one girl go to the Hunger Games. They battle in the Capitol with every district watching live. The Hunger Games end when just one person is left living. In the Hunger Games, the teenagers battle each other and face sickness, starvation, mutated animals, and bugs. The characters are Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, Cinna, Rue, Cato, Clove, Foxface, Thresh, Glimmer, Marvel, Effie Trinket, Haymitch Abernathy, Gale Hawkthorn, Primrose Everdeen, and Madge Undersee.

The details: 374 pp. 2008   Review by Cheyenne W.

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Who would like this book? Girls and some guys, 6th grade and up, who like books about dystopias (think The Giver and Uglies) with a special focus on choosing the right guy.

Why? Cassia has always been happy with her life in the controlled society of her borough. Her parents are perfectly matched with professions that fit their talents. She has been a model student and is on her way to success as a sorter. In her society, every detail of life is controlled – food, schooling, free time, and your mate. Cassia trusts the system completely and is ecstatic when she is “matched” to Zander, her childhood friend. Her perfect life starts to unravel when her beloved grandfather entrusts her with some precious secrets and when a seemingly rogue image appears on her matching screen. As Cassia begins to question the power of her society, she begins to explore her feelings and get to know herself for the first time. I felt that the book could have been more tightly edited, but that’s a small quibble with a book that wrestles with the question of the essential meaning of life through a girl who has to decide between two guys.

The details: 384 pp. 2010   Review by Samrarian

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Review by Marcus S.

Who would like this book? I think this book would be good for both boys and girls over the age of 11 because it has some really intense scenes and a lot of talk about dying. But besides that, this book is a fast paced, high action thriller that will leave you wanting to read the whole series.

Why? The main character in the story is Katniss, a girl from a place called District Twelve, one of many districts that each have a special thing that they do. For instance, District Twelve has coal for their main money maker. But back to Katniss. She is fifteen and goes out illegally to the woods to hunt to get food on the table. Her sister Prim gets picked for the reaping, an event that takes place once a year by having one boy and one girl from each district to be thrown into a arena to fight to the death. Instead of her sister going, Katniss takes her place by volunteering to be one of the tributes. This day is going to change her and her family forever. I really enjoyed reading the book, and I hope you do to.

The details: 374 pp. 2008   Review by Marcus S.

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Review by Emily H.

Who would like this book? I think mostly girls would like this book, but guys could too. I think girls would because it’s about turning pretty and having supermodel looks and having fun all the time! Plus, there’s a bit of romance. Guys might like Uglies because there is a lot of action. For example, there are hover car chases, invasions, and more.

Why? Uglies is a dystopia. The story starts off in Uglyville. In the future, anyone normal is UGLY. In Uglyville, on your 16th birthday you have an operation where you turn pretty. Finally Tally’s 16th birthday comes up but get interrupted when her friend Shay runs away. Tally has a choice then: does she turn in her friend or become pretty? Later Tally learns that being pretty isn’t so pretty. Over all, I really recommend this book.

The details: 425 pp. 2005   Review by Emily H.

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Review by Jessica F.

Who would like this book? Girls and boys, probably teens, who like action and adventure books.

Why? This is the last book of The Hunger Games series. Katniss and Peeta have been in The Hunger Games twice now. District 12 was destroyed. District 13 rescued Katniss from the arena, but Peeta is being held prisoner in the Capital. This book is about Katniss and the district 13 rebels causing an uprising and trying to take over the capital and save Peeta from the Capital. I thought this book was very interesting, and I would definitely read more books by this author.

The details: 398 pp. 2010  Review by Jessica F.

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