"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Why are the sequels never as good as the first installment?

Katniss should be happy and content. As a victor in the Hunger Games, she and Peeta have been guaranteed immunity and safety for their families. But the Capitol is a cruel place, and the districts are becoming unsettled. Being a hero proves to be more than Katniss bargained for and she is forced to the front of a fight she's not sure she can win. But in the meantime, both Peeta and Gale fight for her affections, and the love triangle continues....but what does the future hold for Panem, and what is really going on in district 13?

"Emily the Strange - The Lost Days" by Rob Reger and Jessica Gruner

Strange things are happening in the town of Blackrock. This is where Emily finds herself, only she can’t remember how or why she’s ended up here. She’s got amnesia. Blackrock is beige, boring and incredibly lame. Emily starts investigating who she is, snooping on the locals and researching who is out to get her. Clad in black with feline companions, Emily does not blend in well. She's living in a cardboard box outside of her favorite coffee shop. And her evil twin shows up and starts making things even more confusing...when will she get her memory back??

"Skulduggery Pleasant" by Derek Landy

Stephanie's was always fascinated by her Uncle Gordon. He wrote magical horror stories and lived in a strange mansion. After her uncle dies, Stephanie is shocked to find he left her his estate, complete with hidden passageways and dark secrets. It turns out her Uncle Gordon had access to another world, one where an ancient weapon holds all power and control. Stephanie is being hunted by an evil sorcerer who is searching for this weapon. Uncle Gordon kept weird company while he was alive. His old friend, Skulduggery Pleasant, shows up at his house, surprising Stephanie. Skulduggery is wise, clever and has awesome detective skills....the only problem? He's a skeleton! Let the crazy adventure begin. This is the first book in a new series by Derek Landy. His website has awesome trailers for the books, check it out at http://www.skulduggerypleasant.com/us/

"Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen

Brian's parents are in the middle of divorce. His dad lives in Canada, and Brian is on his way for a visit, traveling in a single-engine plane. The pilot dies of a heart attack, leaving Brian responsible for landing the plane. He manages a soft crash into a lake, only to find he's alone in the wilderness, surrounded by beauty and danger. The plane had gone off course for hours, making rescue seem impossible. Armed only with a hatchet his mom gave him, Brian builds a shelter, creates fire and forges for fish and berries. He uses his imagination and education to brace the elements and feed himself. Will he ever be found?

"Call of the Wild" by Jack London

Buck is pretty happy living the dog life in sunny California. Part St. Bernard, part Scotch shepherd, he's sturdy, dependable, and one of his master's favorites. A servant kidnaps Buck, and sells him to men heading north on a steam train. Hundreds of people are looking for something small, valuable and yellow....gold! It's the height of the Alaska gold rush, and Buck is put to work as a sled dog, hauling heavy equipment and being worked to the bone. Set among the rugged Klondike wilderness, this is an excellent story of animal instinct, survival and the spirit of the wilderness.

"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Twelve districts surround the powerful Capitol in the futuristic society of the Panem. Every year, each district sacrifices two of its youth, chosen by lottery, to play in the Hunger Games. In these games, the chosen participants, or tributes, must fight to the death in a staged arena to claim victory for their district. Much like a reality television show, the spectators place bets on the winners and support their local tributes. When the lottery draws Prim’s name from District 12, her older sister Katniss immediately volunteers to protect her and take her place. Katniss is paired up with Peeta, her classmate from childhood, and together they must fight against the other 22 tributes for their lives.

Katniss is known to be a survivor. Ever since her father’s untimely death, she has worked to support her family, using her hunting and gathering skills to feed her family. But can she outsmart her competitors and bring valor and honor to her district?

I loved all the twists and turns in this story. The drama of reality television keeps the suspense level high and the gladiator fight scenes escalated my heart rate. The survival mechanisms Katniss and Peeta used will surprise you, and the hidden love story will enthrall you.

The Hunger Games is the first book in a new series by Suzanne Collins, the same author who brought us Gregor the Overlander and the Underland Chronicles.

"Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card

Ender Wiggin is an extraordinary game player. His brain is so sharp and brilliant that he's been chosen to attend a prestigious Battle School, where students are trained in military combat. It's the future, and planet Earth is preparing for an invasion against the buggers - alien lifeforms that are determined to destroy our planet. Using high tech computer games to simulate fights and battles proves to be intense and exhausting. Every move Ender makes must be perfect, the future of the universe depends on it! Great science fiction writing.

"Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

Imagine a world where everyone is born an Ugly. Then, when you turn 16, you undergo a radical operation to turn you into a Pretty. No flaws, perfect body, easy life....or so it seems. Tally meets a new friend Shay, who is determined not to have this surgery and encourages Tally to run away with her. The authorities catch up with them and force Tally to make a difficult decision - keeping her best friend or being an Ugly forever. Scott Westerfeld says he was inspired by reading "Liking What You See: A Documentary" by Ted Chiang. King County Library System has this story in a collection called Stories of Your Life and Others.

"Mister Monday" by Garth Nix

This is the first book in Nix's new series - "The Keys to the Kingdom." After nearly dying from a bad asthma attack, 7th grader Arthur is saved by a key shaped like a minute hand of a clock. Mister Monday is on a mission to get the key back. Arthur must venture inside a mysterious mansion, in which doors open onto alternate realms. The prophecy of The Will must be fulfilled and Arthur has been chosen to determine the fate of the universe. This is a great book for any fantasy lover - suspenseful and creepy!

"Peak" by Roland Smith

14 year old Peak Marcello loves rock climbing. But after getting arrested for climbing a New York skyscraper, he finds himself facing a stint in juvenile detention. His long-lost father, famous mountaineer, Josh, shows up at court and saves him from doing time. The trade-off? Peak must leave the country and accompany his dad to the top of the world, Mount Everest. The conditions are treacherous and put Peak's climbing skills to the test. Is reaching the summit in Peak's future? Excellent adventure! Great for middle and high school.