Son - Lois Lowry

Cover art from goodreads.com

Lowry, Lois. Son. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2012. $17.99. Hardback. (393 p.). ISBN:9780547887203.
Recommended for ages 12+.

In the society Claire lives children are assigned their lifelong careers at the age of 12. Claire is chosen to be a birthmother. This is not the most prestigious position but still important as she will be responsible for bringing three new lives into the community. These "products" are then cared for at the nursery until the gathering day when they will be given to their assigned parents. But something goes wrong as Claire delivers her first "product". Claire is reassigned but can't stop thinking about her "product". Contact with the "product" is not allowed. Claire's "product" does not behave as the others and things turn from bad to worse. The two become separated  Just how much is Claire willing to give up to be reunited with her Son?

This is the final book in The Giver quartet, yet it can certainly stand on its own. If you have read any of The Giver series, this book combines all these characters you have come to care about. If not, this book can still be appreciated and will leave you longing to read the others.


Awards/Honors
Margaret A. Edwards Award - 2007
ALA Notable Children's Book Older Readers - 2013

Other titles in The Giver Quartet:

Book #1

Book #2

Book #3

An interview with author Lois Lowry 

Teen Talk with Justin

When speaking of dystopian novels...
What I like best about these books is they show lives of people who don't fit in with the new society because I can kinda relate to the characters.

Justin C., age 15

Justin is currently reading...

From the Heroes of Olympus series:

For the full interview with Justin and other teens visit the Teen Talk Page.

Shards & Ashes - edited by Melissa Marr & Kelley Armstrong

Cover art from indiebound.org

Marr, Melissa and Kelly Armstrong. Shards and Ashes. New York: HarperCollins, 2013. $9.49. eBook. (385p) ISBN:9780349001367.
Also available in Hardback ($17.99) and Paperback ($9.99)
Recommended for ages 14+.

Shards & Ashes contains nine short dystopian stories from some of today's most popular Young Adult authors. Veronica Roth (Divergent), Kami Garcia (Beautiful Creatures), Beth Revis (Across the Universe), Melissa Marr (Wicked Lovely) and others present short stories of 30-40 pages in which a world of destruction is portrayed. Each story is creative and thought-provoking.  The characters are discovering their own strengths and struggling against the zealous rules and regulations enforced upon them. Danger awaits around every corner and survival is uncertain. Some of the stories contain love, some contain heartache. All contain unexpected twists sure to keep the pages turning.

Awards/Honors
None yet as this book was just released Feb. 19, 2013.

Enclave - Ann Aguirre

Cover art from indiebound.org

Aguirre, Ann. Enclave. NewYork: Square Fish, 2011. $9.99. Paperback. (261p) ISBN:9780312551377.

Recommended for ages 14+.

Deuce has just become a huntress. A position she has coveted since childhood. She is now easily identifiable by the six scars on her arms. She lives within a cave deep underground known as the enclave. She demonstrates her braveness as she scouts the tunnels outside the enclave. She displays her skills as she slaughters the hideous monsters referred to as freaks. Yet it doesn't take her long to realize that she doesn't possess one of the most important traits of a huntress...she is not heartless. She has always believed that all the rules and regulations set forth by the elders were for her own good. Yet Deuce and her partner, Fade, have uncovered some information that is vital to the survival of the enclave and elders refuse to acknowledge the danger. And odd things are happening within the enclave. Things that are making her question the motivations of the elders. She has a choice to make. If she just stands by the people of the enclave may all perish. But standing up for what she believes in may result in her being exiled from the Enclave.

Awards/Honors
RITA Winner for Young Adult Romance - 2012
YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers - 2012
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults - 2012

The next book in this trilogy:

Cover art from indiebound.org

The final book releases soon:

The Adoration of Jenna Fox - Mary E. Pearson

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Pearson, Mary E. The Adoration of Jenna Fox. New York: Henry Holt & Comapny, 2008. $16.95. Hardback (265p) ISBN:9780805076684.
Recommended for ages 12+.

Jenna Fox wakes from a comma after two years but remembers very little. What she does know is there are secrets being kept from her.

"I used to be someone. Someone named Jenna Fox. That's what they tell me. But I am more than a name. More than they tell me." (p.3)

As her memories return Jenna finds the world isn't as simple as she once thought it to be. The miracles of modern science have saved Jenna's life. But in return this same science has taken something away. Something big. Something no one wants to talk about. Is there any hope for Jenna to live a normal life again?

Awards/Honors
IRA Young Adult Choice - 2008
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year - 2008
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults - 2009

Other Books in the Jenna Fox Chronicles

Book Trailer

Teen Talk with Devon

When speaking about dystopian novels...
"I like how the author describes what they imagine a possible world could be like in the future. It often gets me thinking of things I can do to help preserve the Earth for as long as we can." 

~ Devon B., age 12

Devon recommends...

Cover art from indiebound.org

"You should just read what makes you happy or what makes you think."

For the full interview with Devon and other teens visit the Teen Talk Page.

Wither - Lauren DeStefano

Cover art from indiebound.org

DeStefano, Lauren. Wither. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2011. $17.99. Hardback (358p) ISBN: 9781442409057.

Recommended for ages 14+.

What if you were born with a known expiration date? In Wither all members of the last two generation have known their life expectancy. Men live to be twenty-five and women perish at the age of twenty. In a world such as this to maintain the population young girls are frequently kidnapped and forced into marriage. Sixteen-year-old Rhine wishes nothing more than to avoid this fate and remain with her twin brother. Yet fate has a different outcome in mind.

When Rhine makes a poor choice she soon finds herself one of rich Linden's four wives. Rhine is full of anger and hatred. She begins to plans her escape. But as she does secrets are revealed. Secrets which make her feel less animosity towards the husband who truly loves her over all others. Rhine only has four years of her life lefts and now she must choose. Escape means the possibility of reuniting with her brother, whom she misses more than words can describe. Staying means a life of wealth and privilege, but as more and more secrets are revealed she realizes it does not guarantee safety.

Awards/Honors

Indie Spring Kids' Next List - Spring 2011
NPR Young Adult Fiction Finalist - 2012
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults - 2012

Other titles in the Chemical Garden Trilogy