Catching Fire

Author: Suzanne Collins
Type: Fiction
First Published: 2009
Pages: 391
Week: 14

This is the second book of the trilogy of the Hunger Games. Another page turner. In this book the next Hunger Games is the third Quarter Quell which is celebrated every 25 years and something special is done at the games. The special thing for these games is that they brought back all the old victors from the other games. Katniss and Peeta were two of them. But there is a twist that the Districts have for The Capitol.
A more intense book, but not as exciting because of the novelty of the first book. Still a thriller. I can't wait to read the next one.

Darkness Visible

Author: William StyronType: Non-Fiction
First Published: 1990
Pages: 84
Week: 6(13)

First published in Vanity Fair, this book is about the author's descent into depression and his recovery. Although I was not impressed with the work, I do believe it to be an important piece as Styron has brought to light the damaging affects of depression. It is a deadly condition and not something that everyone can work their way out of. The list of famous artists and writers that have died from this condition is impressive. The book is a vehicle of making one want to know more about depression.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Author: Roald Dahl
Illustrator: Alfred A. Knopf
Type: Juvenile
First Published: 1964
Pages: 162
Week: 6(13)

This is the classic story that has been turned into a couple of films where 5 children and their parents get a trip of a lifetime to a mysterious factory that produces the world's greatest chocolate. The chocolatier is as mysterious, Willy Wonka.
Each child on their adventure tells a bit about human nature.
This is one of the greatest books ever for children. The author has also written James and the Giant Peach. A great storyteller.

The Knight at Dawn

Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrator: Sal Murdocca
Type: Children's
First Published: 1993
Pages: 66
Week: 6(13)

This is the second book of a series where a young boy and his sister find a magical tree house filled with magical books. Whenever they open the book to a place and say they want to go there, they appear in that time. This adventure takes the two to the time of the knights.
I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first one. The only beef I have is that the author seems to make the older brother to be a wimp of sorts and the little sister the true adventurer.

Declaration of Independence

Author: Thomas JeffersonType: Important Document
First Published: 1776
Pages: 2
Week: 6(13)

An expression of a nation through one man about getting away from a tyrant. The document says they have had enough and why; many reasons why.  I read this and think where our nation is today and think someone should read this as a campaign speech. Our nation is become a tyrant among itself.
A document that should be read at least once a year.

Oh, Bother! Someone Won't Share!

Author: Betty Birney
Illustrator: Nancy Stevenson
Type: Children's
First Published: 1996
Pages: 23
Week: 13

This is a Winie-the-Pooh story in which Rabbit has grown a garden; the best garden he has ever grown. The problem that we see in the story is Rabbit's unwillingness to share any of his vegetables with his friends. A great freeze comes and Rabbit in endanger of loosing a good portion of his crop. No fear for his friends come along and either help him pick or save his vegetables. Rabbit learns his lesson and in return shares some of his vegetables with his friends.
The story is good in teaching a child about sharing, but also about how we will sometimes need the help of others.

A Haunting in Williamsburg

Author: Lou Kassem
Type: Juvenile
First Published: 1990
Pages: 104
Week: 13

This is the story of a girl of 13, Jayne, who has to go visit her aunt in Williamsburg for the summer. Her parents are teachers and have a special conference they have to attend overseas. While there, she encounters a ghost who wants her help in finding out what happened to her brother and a man she loved during the Revolutionary War. With research and a young man she meets, Peter, she has a memorable summer.
The book was a good story. The ghost part of the story was very little compared to her friendship with the boy Peter. Through both Peter and the ghost, Saly, Jane learns a lot about her self and her parents.