Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Hunger Games  by Suzanne Collins

Since the death of her father, Katniss Everdeen has always been the one to protect and provide for her family.  Her younger sister, and somewhat fragile  mother, has made it a necessity.  She, along with her friend Gale, illegally hunt to provide food to their families and other members of the community.

When it is time for the annual Hunger Games all of the eligible children names are put into the drawing, including her twelve year old sister Prim.  One girl and one boy’s name must be drawn from each of the twelve districts.  If everyone is surprised that Prim’s name is drawn, then imagine what they must have been feeling when Katniss volunteers to take her place in the Hunger Game’s arena.

Katniss and her fellow tribute Peeta are taken to the Capital to prepare for the fight of their lives – literally.  Katniss proves that she has what it takes to compete, but she also has a conscious.  Will that be her saving grace for when she leaves the arena or will that be what causes her death?

Read the book to find out!

Also the movie will be out in theaters March 23.

 

The Heist Society Series by Ally Carter

 

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Katrina Bishop wants out of the family business so badly that she conned her way into a private boarding school.  All that comes to abrupt end, when she is expelled for a crime she did not commit – an incident with the headmaster’s beloved Porche.  Imagine getting into a limo to find none other than your friend and former co-conspirator waiting for you.  Not happy is too mild of a reaction.

Hale has a good reason for having Katrina expelled – her father.  He is being accused of stilling priceless art from a well known mobster and if he does not return it he will pay a hefty price.  Hale, Katrina and a group of teenage “criminals” have two weeks to pull off the impossible.  Figure out who stole the artwork, find the artwork and steal it back.  Will they manage to pull it off?

Uncommon Grounds by Ally Carter

Katrina and her crews’ heist from Heist Society, has become known in the circle of thieves.  In Uncommon Grounds she is asked to steal Cleopatra’s Emerald to return it to the “rightful owner.”  Kat and her crew find out that a simple job is not so simple.  Although, the theft of the Emerald wasn’t very difficult it is what comes afterwards that is.  Watch as Kat and the crew battle some conniving con artists.  Who shall win?  The determine Kat or the devious con artists.

http://youtu.be/59kWpaPpUvs

 

I thought the series is highly entertaining.  Ally Carter writing is quick and witty.  She grabs your attention and holds on to it until the last page.

 

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Louisiana girl Aurora  Deveaux (call me Rory)  leaves her native homeland to attend a London private school when her professor parents go on sabbatical in England.  She knew her life was going to change moving to this elite school of well-to-do kids, but she did not know that it could actually become deadly.

On her first day, a serial killer strikes in the style of the Jack the Ripper. Although, she thinks she has nothing in common with the “snobby” kids of Wexford she quickly makes friends with her roommate and a Jerome, a prefect from the boy’s dorm.  Jerome is completely enamored with the current killings and the history of the Jack the Ripper.  These murders have everyone as perplexed as the original murders.  London is full of CCTV, but although they catch some of the murders, they never catch the murderer on screen.

Although, she was interested in the murders…okay maybe not so much the murders, but the boy who was interested in them.  She did not become involved in the case until a body is found on the school campus.  Upon returning to her dorm, after sneaking out to get a better look at the scene, she is stopped by a man.  She becomes confused because although the man is in plain sight her roommate doesn’t see him.  Things become weirder when she realizes she can see people who others cannot.  Is it a human copycat that knows how to alter the videos?  The return of the original Jack the Ripper? Someone else?  If you like ghost stories, murder and intrigue this would be a book for you.  It keeps you in suspense and you do not want to put it down.

 

Bunheads by Sophie Flack

“My name is Hannah Ward. Don’t call me a ballerina.” An outsider looking in thinks that all female ballet dancers are ballerinas. Author Sophie Flack quickly sets the reader straight and sets the stage for a enjoyable first novel.

Hannah is a dancer in the corps of ballet. She dreams of one day becoming a ballerina and has dedicated herself to working hard to reach that goal. However, the 19 year old begins to struggle like we all did at this age. What does she want to do with her life? Is this all she is supposed to do? Being the star of the show means giving up what many of us take for granted – dates with the cute boy next door, holidays with family and eating that second slice of pie on Thanksgiving. Being a star means dancing hours on end, performing and rehearsing on holidays and dieting constantly.

Hannah meets Jacob and begins to question everything. She wants to spend time with him, but it jepardizes her career. At times it becomes a little irritating the way she goes back and forth. See Jacob, don’t see Jacob, see Jacob, don’t see Jacob. However, I for one can admit that there have been times where I have been indecisive and people just want to yell “make up your mind already!”

It’s an enjoyable read, and for those of who fantasized about being a famous ballerina, it gives a great inside look of what happens behind stage.