Science Fiction (9 of 9) A Wrinkle in Time

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L'Engle, M. (1962). A wrinkle in time. New York, NY:  Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers.
ISBN-13:  9780440498056
Format:  Paperback
Cost:  $5.99

Annotation:  Meg Murry is a typical awkward teenager, and part of a very smart, strange family, including scientist parents, one of which is missing, a younger brother with strange abilities who only talks to his family, and twin brothers, Sandy & Denny. Meg, her gifted brother, and her friend Calvin are tessered through time and space by strange creatures, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, to save Meg's father who is being held by the evil IT on the planet Camazotz behind the darkness.

Awards:  1963 Newberry Medal
1965 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award

Booktalk:  Meg Murry is an insecure awkward teenager whose brilliant scientist father has been missing for over a year. Discover whether Meg, her gifted brother, Charles Wallace, and her friend Calvin will be able to find her father through A Wrinkle in Time.

What is a tesseract? On a dark and stormy night, Meg Murry, a gangly awkward teenager, discovers from Mrs. Whatsit, a strange celestial creature, that a tesseract helps one travel through time and space. Meg's father, a brilliant scientist, had been working on this secret scientific concept when he went missing over a year ago. Mrs. Whatsit and her two companions, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, enlist the help of Meg, her specially gifted younger brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin, to rescue Mr. Murry from the evil IT on the planet Camazotz behind the darkness. Many strange adventures occur as Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin learn about friendship, love, courage, and who they really are. Will these time and space travelers be able to rescue Meg's father through A Wrinkle in Time?

Available Formats:  Paperback, Kindle, Library Binding, Audible Audio Edition, Audio CD.

Teen Quote:  13-year-old Sydney P. likes to read science fiction and she is into reading Star Wars books right now. She tries to read every day and reading is one of her favorite pastimes. She really likes to read a good mystery or romantic fantasies. The only social media she uses is Google Plus. This is what she thought of the book, A Wrinkle In Time:

"A Wrinkle In Time was a very good read, it had the components of a mystery but the characters from a fantasy. It is a story of an ordinary girl whose father goes missing and she and her brother and a friend must go to save him from the Big Black Thing. In the end all is right and the story wraps up with a fatnastic close. This was an amazing read. I would recommend this to anyone who loves sci fi."

Multimedia:  In 2003, a movie based on the book, A Wrinkle In Time was made. You can watch a movie clip here:

If you would like to listen to the book, A Wrinkle in Time, you can start with chapter 1 here:

Extra! Extra!  Did you know Mrs. L'Engle wrote quite a few books, and A Wrinkle in Time is the first in a series? Check out all things Madeliene at her website here:  http://www.madeleinelengle.com/.

Here is a Facebook page for the book, A Wrinkle in Time:  https://www.facebook.com/wrinkleintime/.

Science Fiction (7 of 9) Cinder

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Meyer, M. (2012). Cinder. New York, NY:  Feiwel and Friends.
ISBN-13:  9780312641894
Format:  Hardcover
Cost:  $17.99

Annotation:  This twist on the classic fairy tale, Cinderella, portrays a future New Beijing inhabited by humans and cyborgs, an evil Queen Levana who has special powers and is waiting for her chance to conquer the earth, an evil stepmother, a prince, a princess, a plague, and a ball. Will secrets be revealed and can one teenager save the earth?

Awards:  None

Booktalk:  Linh Cinder is a 16-year-old cyborg who runs a fix it shop in New Beijing. When Prince Kai drops off his android to be fixed, sparks fly and Cinder realizes there is something more going on with the broken android and herself. Meanwhile, Kai's father dies, Kai becomes the emperor, and Queen Levana, ruler of the moon, tries to use her powers to force Kai to marry her so she can conquer the earth. Additionally, there is a terrible plague infecting humans, and when Peony, Cinder's favorite sister, contracts the plague, Cinder's stepmother, out of anger, sends Cinder to become a lab rat for plague research. Dr. Erland discovers Cinder is immune to the plague, which could be a curse and a blessing at the same time. On page 98, Dr. Erland shares this news with Cinder:

"So...I don't have the plague?"
"That's correct, Miss Linh. You do not have the plague."
"And I'm not going to die."
"Correct."
"And I'm not contagious?"
"Yes, yes, yes. Lovely feeling, isn't it?"
"She leaned against the wall. Relief filled her, but it was followed by suspicion. They had given her the plague, but now she was healed? Without any antidote? It felt like a trap, but the orange light was nowhere to be seen. He was telling her the truth, no matter how unbelievable it seemed. "Has this happened before?"
"An impish grin spread across the doctor's weathered face. "You are the first. I have some theories about how it could be possible, but I'll need to run tests, of course."

What does this information reveal about Cinder? Who is she, really? Will she be able to stop Kai from marrying the evil queen and save her sister and many others from the plague? Will she marry Kai and live happily ever after? Read this exciting story and discover some answers!

Available Formats:  Paperback, Kindle, Hardcover, Audio CD, Audible Audio Edition.

Teen Quote:  15-year-old Isabel C. reads some science fiction, but prefers fantasy and paranormal stories. She is quite active in social media, and uses Facebook, Blogspot, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube, but her favorite, by far, is Twitter.

Here is what she thought about the book, Cinder:

"A fun and interesting take on the Cinderella story. I absolutely loved it and can't wait for the final book in the series!"

Multimedia:  If you think you might be interested in reading this book, here is an excerpt from Cinder Lunar Chronicles, Book 1:

Extra! Extra! Did you know Cinder is just the first book in the Lunar Chronicles Series? Check out this fun Blogpost by Ms. Meyer, discussing the traits of the characters she has created here:
http://www.marissameyer.com/blogtype/a-guide-to-lunar-chronicles-character-traits/

On this same blogpost, Ms. Meyer links to her Pinterest board that she uses for inspiration for her series. You can check out her Pinterest board here:  https://www.pinterest.com/marissameyer22/the-lunar-chronicles/.

Science Fiction (6 of 9) Mockingjay

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Collins, S. (2010. Mockingjay. New York, NY:  Scholastic Press.
ISBN-13:  978043902351
Format:  Hardcover
Cost:  $17.99

Annotation:  In this final book of The Hunger Games Trilogy, Katniss finds herself as an unwitting pawn and the face of rebellion, as District 13 and their leader, President Coin, uses her as part of their plot to overthrow the Capitol and President Snow. Katniss is left with the final decision of whether or not there will be an end to the evil, or will there just be an exchange of one evil ruler for the other?

Awards:  2010 Voya Perfect Ten
2010 Publisher's Weekly Best Children's Books of the Year for Fiction
2010 Goodreads Choice Award for Favorite Book, Young Adult Fantasy, Favorite Heroine, and Favorite Hero

Mini Book Review:  In this thrilling and intense conclusion to The Hunger Games series, Katnss has been rescued from the Quarter Quell games, Peeta has been captured by the Capitol and President Snow, District 12 has been obliterated, and Gale, Prim, and Katniss's mother are all staying in the underground District 13, which, with the leadership of President Coin, is planning to overthrow the Capitol. Katniss, as the Mockingjay, is to be the face of rebellion to spur the people on to victory, but she is just a pawn, as she discovers all the plans were made without her knowledge. Who will live, who will die, who will rule, and who will Katniss end up with?

This story, detailed and told from the perspective of a 16-year-old girl, gives insight into the decisions we all must make, like who we are, where we fit in, can we make a difference,what is right and wrong, and what love really is. I highly recommend this well written conclusion that highlights the horrors of war, loss, corrupted power, the value of human life, and the importance of sacrifice, trust, love, commitment, and morality. This series should be in school, public, and personal library collections, and is appropriate for all readers ages 12 and up.

Available Formats:  Paperback, Kindle, Hardcover, Audio CD, Audible Auto Edition

Teen Quote:  15-year-old Hannah W. reads almost every day. She reads science fiction sometimes, but her favorite books are adventure stories. Her main source of social media is Facebook.

This is what she thought of Mockingjay:

"I thought it was a bit overkill but was definitely better than the second book, Catching Fire. After the first one, they all go down hill in my opinion."

Multimedia:  Check out the Scholastic book trailer for Mockingjay:

Extra! Extra! Do you like to write fan fiction, or do you like to read fan fiction? If so, you might be interested in this website which highlights some contest winners who wrote stories about what might have happened after Catching Fire, the second book in The Hunger Games Trilogy. Check out the winner's stories here:  https://sites.google.com/site/countdowntomockingjay/.

If you are a fan of The Hunger Games Trilogy, you have probably already seen the movies for The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay Part 1, and are anxiously awaiting the upcoming movie, Mockingjay Part 2, scheduled for release November 20, 2015. Here is the movie trailer for Mockingjay Part 2:

Science Fiction (5 of 9) The Hunger Games

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Collins, S. (2009). The hunger games. New York, NY:  Scholastic Press.
ISBN-13:  9780439023481
Format:  Hardcover
Cost:  $17.99

Annotation:  There are 12 districts surrounding the city capitol, Panem, and each district must send one boy and one girl as a tribute to the annual Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death with only one winner. Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old from District 12, volunteers to take the place of her precious 12-year-old sister, Prim, in the games, and is determined to survive no matter what the cost.

Awards:  2008 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
2008 Boston Globe - Hornbook Award
2008 Cybils Award for Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction
2009 Golden Duck Award for Hal Clement Award for Young Adult
2009 The Inky Awards for Silver Inky
2010 Red House Children's Book Award for Older Readers and Overall
2010 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award
2011 Rebecca Caudil Young Reader's Book Award
2012 BILBY Awards for Older Readers

Booktalk:  This first book in a series, takes place in a post apocalyptic world in which the evil  President Snow of the Capitol, keeps the surrounding 12 districts under control by annually requiring one boy and one girl from each district to participate in the televised Hunger Games that are only over when all are dead but one.

Katniss Everdeen, who volunteers to take the place of her sister, Prim, and Peter Mellark, the baker's son from District 12, travel to the Capitol to prepare for and participate in the games. Katniss is quite talented using a bow and arrow, a skill she learned while spending many hours hunting with her friend Gale (and possible love interest), and discussing the unfair and cruel current conditions of the world. Peeta only knows how to decorate cakes. When Haymitch Abernathy, the mentor assigned to Katniss and Peeta for the games, discovers Peeta's secret love for Katniss, they hatch a plan to have both of them survive the games. Peeta doesn't want to loose his soul in the process of the games, but Katniss just wants to survive and win, no matter what. Once the games begin, Katniss becomes an ally with Rue, the 12-year-old from District 11, that reminds her of Prim. Together, they form a plan to take out the enemy's food supply, but Rue is killed in the process. In chapter 17 on page 236, we see Katniss overwhelmed with this horrible turn of events:

"I can't stop looking at Rue, smaller than ever, a baby animal curled up in a nest of netting. I can't bring myself to leave her like this. Past harm, but seeming utterly defenseless. To hate the boy from District 1, who also appears so vulnerable in death, seems inadequate. It's the Capitol I hate, for doing this to all of us.

Gale's voice is in my head. His ravings against the Capitol no longer pointless, no longer to be ignored. Rue's death has forced me to confront my own fury against the cruelty, the injustice they inflict upon us. But here, even more strongly than at home, I feel my impotence. There's no way to take revenge on the Capitol. Is there?"

Will Katniss and Peeta be able to beat the system and both survive the Hunger Games? More importantly, will Katniss be able to hold on to her humanity in the process?

Available Formats:  Paperback, Kindle, Library Binding (Hardcover), Audible Audio Edition, Audio CD, Video (Movie Version).

Teen Quote:  18-year-old Kaitlyn M. likes to read science fiction books, but she reads almost anything that looks or sounds good! She reads the summaries on the back or inside cover, and if she likes what it says, she will most likely read it. She loves to read and reads almost every day. To keep up with what's happening in her world, she uses both Facebook and Instagram.

This is what she thought about The Hunger Games:

"The Hunger Games was, in my opinion, better written out than on the big screen. I think that it was a very good read and I would read it again!"

Multimedia:  In 2012, the movie, The Hunger Games, came out in movie theaters. Here is the official movie trailer:

Extra! Extra!  Did you know that Suzanne Collins started her writing career as a writer for children's television? She also wrote another series of books before the Hunger Games series called, The Underland Chronicles. You can find out more about Ms. Collins and her fabulous books at her website here:  http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/index.htm.

If you would like to follow Ms. Collins, her Twitter account is:  @_SuzanneCollins

Science Fiction (1 of 9) Ender's Game

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Card, O. S. (1991). Ender's game. New York, NY:  Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.
ISBN 13:  9780312932084
Format:  Hardcover
Cost:  $24.95

Annotation:  Earth is threatened by Buggers, an alien race, and the only hope of destroying the enemy lies with young genetically engineered Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, a genius at simulated war games. But, the earthly battle is not the only battle going on when Ender discovers his compassion for the very enemy he fought.

Awards:  1985 Nebula Award for Best Novel
1986 Hugo Award for Best Novel

Mini Book Review:  Young, genetically engineered Andrew "Ender" Wiggin is the only hope of saving the earth from the Buggers, an alien race that attacked the earth before and threatens to do it again. Ender has the perfect blend of violence, like his brother Peter, and compassion, like his sister Valentine, to become the ultimate general and destroy the enemy. With the help of Colonel Graff, Mazer Rackham, his fellow soldiers, and his amazing talent at simulated war games, victory is achieved. Unfortunately for Ender, the internal battle rages on as he struggles with the emerging compassion he feels for the very enemy he destroyed. Can Ender find peace by becoming, "the speaker for the dead?"

I would highly recommend this well-written award winning novel that is the first in a series. Ender's struggle with the burden of leadership, how he comes to terms with who he is, the consequences of war, and the necessity for compassion are all relevant topics for the world we live in today. These subjects transcend age limitations and children from ages 12 and up would enjoy it. I found this book in both the adult fiction and young adult fiction sections of my public library. Additionally, it should be in all school libraries, and your personal libraries!

Available Formats:  Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle, Audio CD, Audible Audio Edition

Teen Quote:  17 year old Liz I. reads science fiction, but really likes Fantasy and Horror books. She reads almost everyday and is active with social media with her presence on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Snapchat. Her favorite social media is Tumblr. This is what she thought of Ender's Game:

"I read Ender's Game two years ago because the film was coming out and it scared me slightly because it's about an 8 year old boy who kills a lot of people essentially. It's one of those books you read because everyone reads it but every second of the adventure he went through we as readers follow and I don't know if it's just me, but I want to go in a zero gravity battle room. It explored creative ideas I haven't seen before."

Multimedia:  The author, Orson Scott Card, does not give many interviews. Check out this rare interview from Wired here:  http://www.wired.com/2013/10/cardqa/.

Orson Scott Card also has an amazing website! Check it out here:  http://www.hatrack.com/

Extra! Extra!  Did you know that in 2013, there was a movied based on the book Ender's Game?  Check out the movie trailer here: