Katniss is Cast

Reports are abounding today that Jennifer Lawrence has been cast as Katniss in the Hunger Games film. She starred in Winter's Bone. Has anyone seen it? Any thoughts on her playing Katniss? She doesn't look like how I envisioned Katniss, but all opinions are that she is a great actress and will do the part justice.

http://www.accesshollywood.com/report-jennifer-lawrence-will-enter-the-arena-as-katniss-everdeen-in-the-hunger-games_article_45367

Exposed by Kimberly Marcus

Exposed is a novel in verse that recounts the experience of Liz after her brother is accused of raping her best friend, Kate.
Liz and Kate have been friends since elementary school, "forever-bests", who spend one Saturday a month sleeping over at each other's houses and spending time alone without their boyfriends. This particular Saturday they get into a nasty argument as Liz insults Kate's boyfriend for being a wet blanket and Kate takes offense. Liz tears off to sleep in her room leaving Kate on the couch.
The next morning, Kate is gone.
When Kate won't speak to her or let her apologize, Liz assumes that she is still upset over their argument. But as days turn into weeks she realizes that something more is troubling Kate and she demands to know what. When she finds out that Kate has accused her brother, Mike, of rape she wishes she had never asked.
Marcus does an excellent job at creating the conflicting emotions that Liz experiences as she tries to decide who to believe. Her passion for photography is interwoven through the story, giving us a look at the world through Liz's eyes as she photographs her surroundings.
Though I usually cringe at the thought of reading verse novels, the few that I've read I have really enjoyed. There is something so to the point, yet elusive in their form that works very well in relating dramatic and forceful stories.
This is a convincing novel that does not have a neat solution. For readers who like a firm ending, Exposed won't do. It creates more questions than it answers.

Thursday Three: The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Define "Normal" and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian

Last weekend while home sick with stomach nastiness I read three YA novels I've been wanting to read for ages. Here are my brief thoughts about them:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Quite controversial and banned in many schools across the country, this novel IS very racy and deals with lots of issues parents might not feel comfortable having their young teens read about: sex, drugs, drinking, masturbation, abortion, mental illness and sexual abuse. Written by fifteen-year-old Charlie in the form of letters to an unknown recipient, it chronicles his life during his freshman year of high school. He has a very unique voice and his mistakes and successes are equally fascinating. This is a good novel that has a strong narrative and the challenges Charlie faces are believable. It should not be suggested to a teen if you're not sure of their background or family persuasion.

Define "Normal" by Julie Anne Peters
This novel is a perfect middle school read that centers on two girls, middle schoolers themselves, who are paired together for peer counseling. Jazz is a "punk" who dresses in black and changes her hair colors frequently. She hates her mother and is struggling to break out of her parents stranglehold. Antonia is a "priss". She gets good grades, follows the rules and has a horrible home life. Her mother is mentally ill and stays in bed all day while Antonia is expected to care for her two younger brothers, run the household and do her homework. This book says a lot about stereotypes, judging others by their appearance and letting others help when you are ashamed to ask them for it. A very sweet story with a happy ending.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie
While dealing with many of the same issues as Wallflower, along with racism, alcoholism and poverty, this novel adds humor and pictures to give extra spice and vigor to the issue novel. Junior is a Native American who lives on a reservation and decides he wants to attend the "white" school in town instead of his reservation high school. This choice brings him more heartache and joy than he could have anticipated. His misadventures are grin-inducing, but I found this book lacking for some reason. It didn't feel cohesive or as seamlessly written as Wallflower and I thought Junior was a punk most of the time. Maybe I just don't enjoy teen male humor?

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker is the daughter of a drifter who, in the summer of 1936, sends her to stay with an old friend in Manifest, Kansas, where he grew up, and where she hopes to find out some things about his past.

I thought this book was well written. It was a historical fiction with a bit of a mystery twist. I am not sure how much the kids will connect with it. If kids are doing a historical book report I would highly recommend it. It was an enjoyable read for me. It had some interesting facts and there was no slow points. A fast read. Thumbs up.

posted by Lisa

RIP Brian Jacques

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-12380763

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Lauren Oliver’s first novel, Before I Fall, was one of my favorite books last year. Dynamic and beautifully plotted, it’s a masterpiece of YA literature. When I heard that Oliver had a new book in the works I mentally noted it and was later pleasantly surprised to find Delirium offered as an ARC on NetGalley.



Oliver possesses that most desirable of qualities for a writer – the ability to engage a reader to the point of obsession. The minute you open the book (or load it onto your screen in this case) she throws magic reading dust in your face and you are instantly sucked into her story. On reflection, you realize her plots are not all that unique, nor are her characters, but her writing is wonderful and she turns her familiar stories into ones you’ve never heard before.


Especially with Delirium. This is another dystopian-with-a-romance novel, the combination that has become money in the YA lit publishing world. In this instance, Lena, our heroine, lives in a society that has banished love. Love is an infection, a disease that is despised and feared. At the age of 18 every citizen undergoes an operation, a procedure, that cures the disease. They’re also told who they will marry and what job they will perform in society. It’s the summer before Lena’s 18th birthday and a few months before she’s to undergo the procedure and she just happens to … fall in love. With Alex, a mysterious young man who has ties with “resistors”, those who are trying to overthrow the government. Gentle Lena has always obeyed, though she isn’t without questions and Alex’s influence propels her to question even more, even speculate about living a different life, a life in the “Wilds”, an unregulated area inhabited by the “Invalid” population. The story reaches its climax a few days before Lena’s procedure – will she choose duty or love?


Oliver has written a brilliant novel with complex plotting and with twists and turns that will leave you breathless. The only problem I have with the novel is Lena, the main character. I think she suffers a bit from the “Bella Syndrome” – an uninteresting, plain girl who is desired by an exciting, charismatic man. What does Alex see in her? Lena does change during the novel, however, and by the end I liked her.


This is the first in a planned trilogy and I will read the others. I really like Lauren Oliver and am very pleased she writes for teens. They deserve someone this smart and talented writing books for them.


I kindly received this ARC from HarperTeen through NetGalley. It will be released on February 1, 2011.

Sapphique by Catherine Fisher

Sapphique, the sequel to Catherine Fisher’s brilliant YA fantasy, Incarceron, captured my imagination from the first chapter. From there it led me on an enchanting, enthralling and breathtaking journey, which is hard to write about without revealing spoilers or even plot lines that are best discovered by the reader.



I will tell you this- if you like fantasy, read these books. If you don’t like fantasy, read these books. They are the perfect fantasy novels for non-fantasy readers (me) because the world Fisher creates is entirely accessible and magical and peopled with strong, complicated characters.


Oh, the characters! The haughty, yet vulnerable Claudia; arrogant and resilient Keiro; gentle and intelligent Jared; conflicted and tormented Finn; and my favorite, the overlooked yet vital Attia.


I can’t say enough about these two novels. And though I would love to read more about the characters I’m glad it won’t be a trilogy. It ended on a perfect note.


Hollywood has noticed these books and Incarceron will be made into a movie starring Taylor Lautner as Finn. I’m a bit scared about this turning into another Twilight cheese-fest, but I don’t have to watch the movie, do I?