"When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead Book Review

I just knocked another book off my self-imposed reading list, “When You Reach Me” by Rebecca Stead. I thoroughly enjoyed this young adult novel, a refreshing change from the "Twighlight" and "Hunger Games" series. Rebecca managed to capture my interest from the beginning when Miranda’s mother received a postcard announcing she’s made it as a contestant on the $20,000 Pyramid. Without spoiling the story for you, I will just say that Miranda received a strange note on a tiny slip of paper that in part read, “I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own. I ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter…” Rebecca cleverly titled each chapter similar to the clues of the winner’s circle portion of $20,000 Pyramid and managed to entwine a science fiction story into the everyday life of young Miranda.



Even though this book is for young adult readers, I found that I was unable to put this book down. I enjoyed the fresh writing style – minus the teenage angst. I was simply a good book, and I highly recommend it.

If you have any young adult recommendations I would love to know what they are.

Book Review – The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I haven't actually finished The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins yet. But, I am so enthralled by the story; I can barely bring myself to put the book down. Yes, the book is geared toward young adults, but so is the Twilight series. And yes this book is a bit below my reading level. This book came highly recommended to me by a fellow young adult author, her words to me, "You must read The Hunger Games! Put that at the top of your list to read." Yeah, yeah I thought to myself, I have about 50 books at the top of my list, and I don't really like fantasy/science fiction. So instead I read Twilight, Speak, Burning Up and Wrinkle in Time, all excellent books in their own right.

I don't want to give the plot away for The Hunger Games, but I will tell you that it is the story of a sixteen year-old girl, Katniss. The setting takes place in the future, North America has been divided into twelve districts, and Katniss is from the lowest of all the districts, District Twelve. The Hunger Games take place every year. It's a televised "game" where 24 contestants (2 from each district) fight to the death. It's not just a fight where they throw them into a ring and let them go at it. You will have to read for yourself, why Katniss is such a special 16 year old.

I also enjoy Suzanne Collins writing style. When I read science fiction/fantasy books, I usually get lost. Too many made up names and places, too many facts to keep track of. Suzanne has made me feel like I am in the story with Katniss. I don't have to go back 50 pages to figure out what's going on (which I hate doing). Her style is simple, but she doesn't dumb down the reader – which I love!