Review of The Hunger Games (Hardcover)

Wow.I was barely able to put this book down for a second after the first few pages got me completely hooked.Suzanne Collins narrative here has an immediacy to it that, when combined with the very dramatic life-or-death plot, is incredibly compelling.It's entertaining, and incredibly disturbing all at once.If this was merely a good read, I would have given it 4 stars, but they say great art leaves you changed after you experience it...and this book definitely did that.Suzanne Collins has, with one amazing work, propelled herself onto my top shelf.

Parents, caveat emptor!The storyline is brutal.Even though the writing is geared for young adults, the main characters are teenagers, there's very little physical romance, and the actual violence would probably count as PG-13 nowadays...it's probably one of the most terrifying books I've read in a very long time!Right up there with George R.R. Martin, if not more so.Remember what we learned from Jaws: you don't actually need to SEE the shark in order for it to be terrifying.Sometimes not seeing the shark is even worse.

The story is basically about a teenager who is forced to compete in a 24-man-enter-1-man-leaves event.I don't want to spoil it by saying any more, but if you liked The Running Man, you'll definitely like this.And if you're young enough that you don't remember The Running Man, nor did you get the Thunderdome reference, then I'm just way too old.But take an old fogey's advice and read this book.

Amazon, when can I preorder book 2???



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Review of The Corps of the Bare-Boned Plane (Hardcover)

Oh, the wit and the quirky characters remind a bit of Lemony Snicket's Baudelaires and their too myriad unfortunate events, but there is a generosity of spirit, a undertow of flawed loving humanity here that leaves one refreshed and renewed. Polly Horvath knows well how to twist and turn a plot and to keep the reader turning the pages.Her humor is droll, if at times in a scratchy, not entirely comfortable way.This is not only great fiction for young adults, but great fiction; quite possibly worthy of another National Book Award and a Newbery nomination, at very least another ALA Notable Book.Readers enjoying this, will also enjoy her other titles such as THE CANNING SEASON, THE VACATION, and EVERYTHING ON A WAFFLE.Those who like the Lemony Snickets would likely enjoy the wit and irony here as well and there are some vague similiaries in tone and style to CHASING VERMEER, but Horvath always has her own voice --- one that readers of all ages would do well to listen to.



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Review of How Come? Every Kid's Science Questions Explained (Paperback)

I love science and read a lot of adult science books.My son, 7, is really into science too - so we run through a lot of kid's science books.I've never encountered a better one than this one."How Come?" never condescends and it never cuts corners in its explanations.It focuses in with razor sharpness on the questions and issues kids (and childlike minds) have and then answers them with clear and rational explanations that really inform and educate.I find myself reading this book and learning things - even on topics I'd covered many times before.I'd say that the age this book is pitched for is 8-14, but even smaller kids get something out of it - and few adults can resist it either.

Product Description
For every kid who really wants to know--and for every exasperated parent who simply doesn't know-here is a lively omnium-gatherum of explanations to the most frequently asked questions about our world, from "Why do stars twinkle?" to "What are hiccups? "Taken from Kathy Wollard's popular column, "How Come?" (seen for the past six years in Newsday and recently syndicated nationally through the Los Angeles Times), How Come? explains why cats can survive high falls (because of the way their bodies can act like a "parachute") and how black holes absorb light (intense gravity-if the Earth had the same density as a black hole, it would have to be compressed to the size of a marble!).Now you can know it all. Selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club. Suitable for ages 9-12. 204,000 copies in print.Illustrations by Debra Solomon.



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