Science Fiction (7 of 9) Cinder

https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/11235712-cinder

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 (3 of 9) Life As We Knew It

https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/213753.Life_As_We_Knew_It

Pfeffer, S. B. (2006). Life as we knew it. Orlando, FL:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN-13:  9780152061548
Format:  Paperback
Cost:  $6.95

Annotation:  When an asteroid hits the moon and knocks it out of place, life on earth will never be the same. Through the pages of the diary of 16-year-old Miranda, the shocking, realistic aftermath of the resulting devastation is portrayed, as well as how Miranda and her family survive.

Awards:   2006 Booklist Editor's Choice Award for Books for Youth (Older Reader's Category)

Booktalk:  What would you do if you had to survive in the aftermath of a devastating natural disaster? After an asteroid knocks the moon out of place, tsunamis, and earthquakes kill thousands of people, knock-out communication and electricity, and leave survivors stuck in their homes with little food, struggling to survive. This first book of the series is written in diary form through the eyes of 16-year-old Miranda from Pennsylvania. The time frame of one year reveals death of beloved friends, the loss of family and friends as they move in search of better survival conditions, sickness, injury and frigid cold. Will Miranda, her mother, and brothers have the courage and strength to survive? Read this eerily realistic science fiction story and find out!

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

Quote:  Taken from page 56:

"It's such a weird way to live. I just can't believe it's going to stay like this much longer. On the other hand, I'm already starting to forget what normal life felt like, clocks that were on time, and lights that went on with the flick of a switch, and Internet, and streetlights, and supermarkets, and McDonald's, and..."

Multimedia:  The author, Susan Beth Pfeffer, has a Facebook page about her book, Life As We Knew It. You can see some videos, quotes, a detailed summary of the book, and some pictures here:  https://www.facebook.com/susan.susanbethpfeffer?fref=ts.

Here is a book trailer of the book:

Extra! Extra!  Did you ever wonder what domino effect might happen if a real catastrophe like this might occur? On Ms. Peffer's blog post, Meteors, Moons, and Me, she discusses her science research for this book and the second book in the series, The Dead And The Gone. Check it out here:  http://susanbethpfeffer.blogspot.com/2008/07/science-of-life-as-we-knew-it-and-dead.html