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.

The Hunger Games

Author:Suzanne Collins
Type: Adult Fiction
First Published: 2008
Pages: 374
Week: 13

The book is a futuristic story of how a country rose from the ashes of the continent North America called Panem. Natural disasters swallowed up much of the land. A brutal war for what little sustenance remained. The result was Panem, as having Capitol ringed by 13 districts which brought peace and prosperity to its people. Then came the Dark Days, the uprising against the Capitol. Twelve were defeated while the thirteenth was obliterated. The Treaty of Treason gave them the new laws of peace so that the Dark Days were never were repeated. Thus, were born the Hunger Games.
One girl and one boy ages twelve to eighteen are chosen every year from every district to fight to the death where only one makes it out alive. The book is the story of the 74th Hunger Games.
A hit movie this year made this a choice to read. A definite page turner. An awesome book. This is the first book of a trilogy by the author. I cannot wait to read the other two.

Books Into Film: The Moon is Down

Author: Robin H. Smiley
Type: Magazine article
First Published: April, 2012
Pages: 3
Week: 13

This is an article about the reason behind the writing of John Steinbeck's story, "The Moon is Down." Steinbeck is my favorite author and to find out the reason for a story that doesn't stem from the author's personal need to tell a personal story but one for country fascinated me. The article also tells about the book turning into the movie and why the movie wasn't a mainstay in the movie lover's collection.
I enjoyed the article and was amazed at the information. This article is a must for any Steinbeck fans.

Runaway Ralph

Author: Beverly Cleary
Illustrator: Louis Darling
Type: Juvenile
First Published: 1970
Pages: 175
Week: 7(12)

The book is about a mouse and his motorcycle and the freedom to ride his motorcycle. Ralph, the main character, lives at a hotel Inn where at night he rides his motorcycle, given to him by a young boy, with his crash helmet made from half a ping pong ball. His parents give him grief over riding at night saying its dangerous and make him give the younger mice a ride. Tired of it all, he runs away to a kids camp, a mile away.
The book is about his adventures away and about his struggle to get back to his family.
I had a mixed review on this book. It starts out slow, yet his misadventures are really good. But yet again the book ends weird.
This is a book that if you find it fine and if you don't have it fine.

A College Graduate Arrives in the Real World

Author: Brandon Daynorowicz (Funny Times Newspaper)
Type: Newspaper article
First Published: October, 2008
Pages: 1
Week: 12

An article that tells you in a humorous way that college does not prepare you for the real world. One of the examples is that "C" work in school is a passing grade while "C" work in the real world will get you fired. He also writes about how your peers are not drug dealers in the real world and will get offended if you ask them for some weed. A very humorous article which is lined with much truth.

Dinosaurs Before Dark

Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrator: Sal Murdocca
Type: Children's
First Published: 1992
Pages: 68 pages
Week: 12

The first book in a series of children's books. The main characters are Jack, the big brother, and Annie, the little sister. Both go into a tree house high in the sky and find that it is filled with books. They open a book about dinosaurs and wish they were there. Boom! They were there. After many adventures, they climb back into the tree house and find a book about their house and are back safe at home. There are other books that send them into many other places. This is just the first book of the series.
I really liked this book and will enjoy reading this along with the other's in the series to my grandchildren.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Author: Mitch Albom
Type: Adult Fiction
First Published: 2003
Pages: 196
Week: Week 12

A book that starts when someone dies. Eddie, the main character, dies saving a little girl. He meets five people in heaven that change the way he looked at some people close to him in his life and also changes how he looked at his own life.
I didn't think that I connected with the book, but I did cry when Eddie met is wife in heaven and helped me make a decision about what to do in having an operation. So the book must be good.

The Tower Treasure (The Hardy Boys # 1)

Author: Franklin W. Dixon
Type: Juvenile
First Published: 1927
Pages: 180
Week: 12

This is the first book in the Hardy Boys series. This is the story of two brothers who are only a year a part and in high school that are the sons of a small town detective. They enjoy sleuthing and also enjoy pleasing their dad. This was their first case.
This book established them as bona fide sleuths and also gave them some money to invest in some detective equipment.
I enjoyed the book. The characters were developed well and the story was spell binding.