LAST ACT

Last Act * Christopher Pike
1988 * p. 226 * YA Mystery
Melanie is new at school and feeling pretty invisible. But when one of the most popular girls in school invites her to try out for a part in the school's play, she's ecstatic, especially since Marc, a handsome and brooding athlete, will also star in the play.

But what Melanie doesn't know, is that everyone seems to be hiding secrets, and what is supposed to be a pretend murder for the sake of the play, becomes very real. A fellow actress is murdered, and Melanie finds herself as the main suspect.

Most people claim it was an accident, others say Melanie hated Rindy and wanted her dead. Melanie doesn't think it was an accident, but neither is she the one who did it. She believes someone DID want Rindy dead, and she's convinced that the only way to solve the murder is to perform the play again. But is performing the play, just setting the stage for another murder?

A great little murder mystery. I read it once before while I was in junior high and loved it then too. Christopher Pike has written many, many more books that are all similar: murder, mystery, science fiction, gore. His books are like a higher level version of Goosebumps. My Young Adult professor calls them potato chip fiction: a mindless, meaningless, but pleasurable read.

They aren't great literature. But they are great books for a reader that is not "into" reading. They are easy to read, generally light, suspenseful and fun reads.

-Reading level: ages 16 & up.
-A few swear words.
-Themes of secrecy, betrayal, friendship, lies!

CATCHING FIRE

Catching Fire * Suzanne Collins
2009 * p. 391 * YA Science Fiction

Book Two begins much the same as the first. Katniss is hunting beyond the fence. Even though she's wealthy now for co-winning the Games, she still hunts for Gale's family now that he has to work in the mines.

Things are strained. Peeta is still hurt over the fact that Katniss pretended to be in love with him. Gale is distant after watching Katniss carry on with Peeta during the Games. Haymitch is as drunk as ever. And there are still rumors that Katniss purposefully was trying to start a rebellion against the Capitol when she pretended to eat those poisonous berries. All this weighs on her mind as she prepares herself for the Victory Tour.

She is less than thrilled to tour the other districts. Before she leaves, President Snow of the Capitol makes a surprise visit. He warns her that if she does not do her best to squelch these rebellion rumors all those she holds dear will be killed.

Yikes. But Katniss is the unspoken leader for the rebellion, even though she may not want to be. As she tours, she notices a few districts have started their own silent and civil demonstartions against the capitol. A mere whistle becomes cause for death. Katniss sees firsthand what she has started and must decide if she will help and put all the people she loves in danger, or abdicate her role and exterminate the hope that has been fueled by her defiant act in the arena.

But a new terror ensues. This year is a Quarter Quell. Meaning a specialized Hunger Games will be televised to "celebrate" the 75th anniversary of the Capitol's rule. A Quell has different rules than the regular games. When they are announced, everyone is horrified. No one, it seems, is safe from the Capitol's cruelty. Especially when the Capitol wants you out of the way.

Dum-dum-dum! Love it! Love it! Love it!

I was sooo excited to read the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy and I was definitely rewarded for my enthusiasm. :) It was amazing. The first book will always hold a special place in my heart, but the second comes pretty close. It was more psycholgical and emotional than the first, though there was still plenty of action.

The love stories are awesome as always. I'm a big Peeta fan.

I just can't get over how good of a writer Collins is. The book was engrossing and the writing excellent. I really hope these books are made into films (good ones, that is.)

I love the complexity of Katniss' situation. There are so many components! She's constantly in a psychological battle. Fight or flight? But when she has to fight, boy oh boy does she! Love it.

-Reading level: ages 15 & up
-Violence. A couple of swear words. Nothing too graphic.
-Themes of fight or flight, courage, rebellion, sacrifice, leadership.
-A WONDERFUL book!

PIRATES!

Pirates! * Celia Rees
2003 * p. 488 (Large Print Edition)* YA Historical Fiction

Nancy Kington is the daughter of a wealthy sugar merchant in 1720's East Coast America. When her father's company (a rather shady one dealing in the slave trade) collapses and he dies. Nancy is left to the will of her older brothers.

To make some quick and plentiful cash, they ship her off to the West Indies and betrothe her to The Brazilian. A cruel, wealthy plantation and slave trade owner. Nancy is shocked and heartbroken, especially since she must leave William, the boy she has pledged herself to at home. So Nancy is shipped to the Indies and William likewise takes to the sea in the hopes of joining the navy.

When Nancy reaches her new tropical home in Jamaica, she instantly witnesses the cruelty inflicted on the black slaves. Cruelest of all is The Brazilian. As the cruelties continue and speculation mounts on Nancy's strange kindness to the slaves, Nancy concludes she must runa away. With her slave and friend Minerva, they buy passage with an old naval acquaintance turned pirate.

The two friends start their journey as female pirates on the high sea, running from The Brazilian, pillaging, acting, working, fighting, and learning secrets about each other that will bind them together forever.

The book was difficult for me. The whole premise seemed like it would be a very thrilling and adventurous book, but it ended up feeling very dull and mechanical.

It is written from Nancy's perspective as if she were writing in a diary. Which is ironic. You would think then that the book would be heartfelt and you'd find insights into Nancy's mind and thinking. But I felt like I didn't know her at all.

The dialogue was hopelessly void of emotion. The plot seemed to go nowhere but everywhere at once. The love story between William and nancy was nonexistent and frustrating. Nothing was developed as it should have been. Disappointing.

I strongly recommend Rees' book Witch Child over Pirates! It was leaps and bounds more interesting than this one.

-Reading Level: ages 13& up
-A few swear words. A scene of attempted rape. But nothing graphic.
-Themes of sisterhood, courage, ethics, slavery.