Escape from Memory by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Escape from Memory. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 2005. 288 pages. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-0338-0.

Annotation: After a teenage girl named Kira is hypnotized, her mother is abducted and a woman claiming to be her Aunt Memory appears. Kira embarks on a journey to save the woman she thinks is her mother but discovers she has other unexplained memories.

Summary: At a party, 15-year-old Kira is hypnotized and reveals a forgotten secret of fleeing a foreign country with her mother and speaking a strange language. Soon after, her mother is kidnapped and a woman posing as her Aunt Memory takes Kira to the unfamiliar country of Crythe on a ruse to rescue her mom. While in Crythe, Kira realizes the importance of memory and how the memories locked inside her mind can either harm her or save her. Once she unlocks her distant memories, she is able to save her mother, best friend, and herself.

Evaluation: This suspense novel has plot twists throughout the book and keeps the reader interested. The general story is a little far-fetched but readers are able to connect with Kira’s likable but naïve character. The aspect of dreams being as important as memories is an intriguing concept to consider. Recommended for ages 12 to 17.

Genre / Subject: Fiction, Suspense, Computers, Memory, Kidnapping, Dreams, Family, Survival

Awards: 2006 New York Public Library Book for the Teenage

Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 2004. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-689-87102-3.

Annotation: An abused and neglected young girl named Tish writes a series of truthful journal entries for an English class assignment. She shares her thoughts and feelings as she works, goes to school, takes care of her younger brother, deals with a depressed mother and an abusive father.

Summary: This book is written in a compelling first person narrative about an abused and neglected young girl named Tish who writes a series of journal entries for a year-long sophomore English class assignment. Tish shares her thoughts and feelings as she works at a burger joint with a boss who makes sexual advances, goes to school and sufferers the effects of being an underachiever, takes care of her sensitive and innocent younger brother, deals with a depressed and later absent mother and an emotionally and physically abusive father who has abandoned the family . Besides her own courage, Tish has another saving grace- a caring and sensitive English teacher who assists her in getting help.

Evaluation: This is a short, gritty novel that deals honestly with the problems of emotional and physical abuse. By touching on realistic contemporary themes and authentic problems, Haddix draws in teen readers and keeps them involved. The book sends a positive message about how to deal with difficult social problems. Recommended for ages 14 to 18.

Genre / Subject: Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Abuse, Family, School, Identity, Survival

Awards: 1997 ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 1997 ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2003 ALA Popular Paperback for Young Adults

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Ryan, Carrie. The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Random House Children’s Books, 2010. 336 pages. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73682-4.

Annotation: Teenage Mary lives in a small village run by a religious Sisterhood and surrounded by multitudes of the undead, known as the Unconsecrated. The fence that surrounds the village is breached and Mary barely escapes with a few friends as the undead attack. She is on a flight of survival with Travis, a boy whom she loves and his brother, Harry, a boy to whom she is betrothed.

Summary: This is the first book in the series; the second book is called The Dead-Tossed Waves. Mary dreams of seeing the ocean while living in a secluded post-apocalyptic community run by the religious Sisterhood. A strange disease has infected most of the world’s human population and transformed them into flesh-carving zombies. A fence that surrounds her village keeps out the flesh-eating undead known as the Unconsecrated. But when the fence is breached, Mary barely escapes with Travis, a boy whom she loves and his brother, Harry, a boy to whom she is engaged to be married. Their flight of survival is riveting as the zombie-like undead limit their chances of escape.

Evaluation: This is a zombie thriller with depth; it is an engrossing read as the elements of horror, suspense, and romance intermingle. Mary is a very likeable and strong character that is learning to create her own destiny through her bravery against the relentless undead. Although a very bleak novel, it does offer a ray of hope for human survival. Recommended for ages 13 to 18.

Genre / Subject: Fiction, Horror, Dystopia, Orphans, Romance, Survival, Friendship

Awards: 2010 ALA Best Books for Young Adults

Peeps by Scott Westerfeld

Westerfeld, Scott. Peeps. Penguin Group, 2005. 320 pages. Tr. $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-031-9.

Annotation: Cal comes to New York City to start college but gets infected with the parasite that causes vampirism. Fortunately, he is partially immune to its effects and does not become an insane bloodthirsty cannibal but instead starts to track down other parasite positives, or peeps who are roaming the city looking for other victims.

Summary: Cal heads to New York City to start college but during a one-night stand gets infected with the parasite that causes vampirism. Fortunately, he is partially immune to its effects and does not become an insane cannibal but, instead, is given superhuman strength and night vision. In his attempt to track down the woman who infected him, he starts working for an organization that captures the maniacal parasite positives or “peeps” roaming the city that are spreading the disease. During his search, Cal falls in love with Lace, a fellow student and discovers there is something even more deadly than peeps inside the city.

Evaluation: This horror novel without the gore gives an inventive twist on the typical vampire novel. It is full of action, adventure, romance and science. There are alternating chapters that provide interesting essays on the disgusting nature of parasites. Cal’s narratives on the scientific reasoning behind vampires add body to the compelling novel. Recommended for ages 13 to 18.

Genre / Subject: Fiction, Horror, Vampires, Parasites, Science, Romance, Survival

Awards: 2006 ALA Best Books for Young Adults

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic, Incorporated, 2008. 384 pages. Tr. $17.99. ISBN 978-0-439—02348-1.

Annotation: In order to save her younger sister, sixteen-year-old Katniss has volunteered to be a participant in a ruthless kill or be killed competition. This nationally televised lethal sporting event is part of a dystopian society that enjoys survival contests.

Summary: This is the first book of a trilogy that includes Catching Fire and the soon to be released Mockingjay. Sixteen-year-old Katniss lives in the district of Panem, a dystopian society that includes part of what used to be the United States. Her sister was selected in a lottery to be part of a brutal kill or be killed competition called the Hunger Games, but Katniss volunteered to take her place. Peeta, a boy in the district who has a crush on Katniss, is also selected to be in the Games. This is a story of Katniss’s physical, emotional, and mental struggle to survive the Games; only one of twenty-four teens will survive.

Evaluation: This book has something to satisfy every kind of reader- suspense, adventure, action, mystery, and even a little romance. Katniss is an intelligent, honest, brave, and compassionate character who must also fight to the death in order to survive. Her journey in the Hunger Games is complex and engrossing due to the well written first person narrative. Recommended for ages 10 to 17.

Genre / Subject: Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Survival, Contests, Romance

Awards: 2009 ALA Notable Books for Children, 2010 American Booksellers Association’s Indies Choice Book Award – Young Adult, 2009 ALA Best Books for Young Adults

Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Running Out of Time. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 1997. 192 pages. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-689-81236-1.

Annotation: Teenager Jessie Keyser lives in a restored historic village during the 1990’s but she and the other children in the village believe they are actually living in the 1840’s. This “scientific experiment” agreed upon by the children’s parents goes horribly wrong when diphtheria is released on the helpless villagers and it is up to Jessie to save them.

Summary: Jessie Keyser, a 13 year old girl, lives with her family in a restored historic village set in Indiana in the 1840’s. The children of the village actually believe that it is the year 1840; their parents have agreed to participate in an elaborate scientific experiment. The ruse is successful because the tourists from the present day (the 1990’s) are hidden from view. But things go horribly wrong when diphtheria is unleashed on the village because the corrupt researchers connected with the village want to see what would happen to patients without modern medical care. Brave, backward, and bewildered Jessie is sent by her mother into the modern world to find help for the “imprisoned” villagers.

Evaluation: Written in captivating manner, this book is an interesting take on “historical” events for those who love time-travel. A strong teen heroine uses her intelligence and courage to overcome her culture fears and physical threats in order to save the village children from dying. Each chapter is so gripping that it is difficult to put down. Recommended for ages 8-14.

Genre / Subject: Juvenile Fiction, Suspense, Family, Diseases, Historic Villages, Adventure,Survival

Awards: 1997 ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 1996 ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 1995 American Bookseller Pick of the Lists

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Among the Hidden. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 2000. 160 pages. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-689-82475-3.

Annotation: Twelve year old Luke Garner lives under a totalitarian regime that limits the number of children in a family to two. Unfortunately, Luke is the third child in family and must deal with the consequences of having to remain hidden in order to survive.

Summary: This book is the first of seven in the Shadow Children Series. It begins with Luke Garner, 12 year old boy who lives in a futuristic dystopia where the totalitarian regime observes a very strict two-children-only policy for families. Luke is, unfortunately, the third child of a poor farming family who has been forced to hide since birth. The government takes the land away from the family farm and builds expensive houses. Among the houses, Luke spots another third child named Jen. As their friendship secretly develops, Luke learns of an entire subculture of third children. Jen organizes a rally protesting the government’s treatment of third children but it ends with the Population Police murdering her. Luke is forced to determine how far he will go to resist the government in order to have a life that is worth living.

Evaluation: Written with suspense, this thought-provoking novel addresses the important issue of what it means to be free. Haddix is able to write a gripping novel with elements of family devotion, friendship, rebellion, and the controlling use of technology. Readers will be thinking about the courage it takes to stand up for what is right in society. Recommended for ages 8-14.

Genre / Subject: Juvenile Fiction, Suspense, Computers, Dystopia, Totalitarianism, Friendship, Family, Identity, Survival

Awards: 1999 ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 1999 ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, 2000 ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2000 ALA Top 10 Quick Pick for Young Adults, 2003 ALA Popular Paperback for Young Adults

The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle

Engle, Margarita. The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom. Henry Holt & Company, 2008. 176 pages. Tr. $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8050-8674-4.

Annotation: This book, written in free verse prose, sheds a personal light on Cuba’s three wars for independence from Spain between the years 1850-1899. The story in verse follows alternating voices including Rosa, a healer, Jose, a freed slave, Silvia, a refugee child, and Lieutenant Death, a slave hunter and soldier.

Summary: This novel in verse alternately follows four central characters as they are involved in various struggles with Cuba’s three wars for independence from Spain between the years 1850-1899. The most prominent voice is Rosa, a traditional healer, who nurses all people- blacks, whites, Cuban, and Spanish back to health during the fifty year struggle. Despite living her life on the lam, she uses herbal medicine she makes from the native plants and sets up hospitals in caves and other hidden places. The second voice is Rosa’s husband, Jose, who is a freed slave that assists Rosa in tending to the sick and dying. The third voice is that of Silvia, a refugee child who Rosa teaches the art of healing. The final voice is that of Lieutenant Death, a slave hunter and callous soldier who is obsessed with hunting down slaves and trying to kill the heroine Rosa. The story follows the struggle of slavery and the sadness involved with the concentration camps that bring starvation, disease, and death. But the story also shows the hope in Cuba’s quest for freedom. The healing kindness that Rose, Jose, and Silvia show to others touches people and changes lives.

Evaluation: With simple, short lines of prose the story is easy to follow and well-written. There is a Cuban flavor to the language with a sprinkling of Spanish words. The free verse poems vary in length and style and together construct a compelling narrative that offers an authentic-feeling glance into the Cuban history. Recommended for ages 10-17.

Genre / Subject: Juvenile Non-Fiction, Poetry, Cuba, History, Independence, Racism, Survival

Awards: 2009 Pura Belpre Award Winner, 2009 Newbery Medal Honor Book, 2009 ALA Notable Books for Children, 2009 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Winner – Books for Older Children, 2009 ALA Best Books for Young Adults