Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I just finished reading the Suzanne Collins trilogy.  I was wondering if any of you have read them, and what you think about grade level.  Online, I'm seeing from 5th grade up, some say 7th.  There was a lot of violence, but it was an important part of the plot and not too gory.  This first book in the trilogy made the New York Times Notable Children's Book and ALA Notable Children's Book Lists.  As well as ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults and ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers lists.

 If you haven't read the books yet, here's what Publisher's Weekly has to say, "A gripping story set in a postapocalyptic world where a replacement for the United States demands a tribute from each of its territories: two children to be used as gladiators in a televised fight to the death.Katniss, from what was once Appalachia, offers to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, but after this ultimate sacrifice, she is entirely focused on survival at any cost. It is her teammate, Peeta, who recognizes the importance of holding on to one's humanity in such inhuman circumstances. It's a credit to Collins's skill at characterization that Katniss, like a new Theseus, is cold, calculating and still likable."

"When I Crossed No-Bob" by Margaret McMullan

From Margaret McMullen's webiste: http://www.margaretmcmullan.com/whenicrossednobob.html

Life as an O'Donnell is all twelve-year-old Addy knows, and life as an O'Donnell means trouble. Tucked away in a gray patch of woods called No-Bob, the O'Donnell clan has nothing but a bad reputation. So when Addy's mama abandons her on the afternoon of Mr. Frank Russell's wedding celebration, nobody is very surprised.

A reluctant Mr. Frank and his new wife take Addy in, and Addy does everything she can to prove that at least one O'Donnell has promise. But one day, Addy witnesses a terrible event that brings her old world crashing into the new. As she finds herself being pulled back into No-Bob and the grips of her O'Donnell kin, Addy is faced with the biggest decision of her life. Can she somehow find the courage to do what's right, even if it means betraying one of her own?

Sequel to HOW I FOUND THE STRONG

Mutiny on the Bounty

This is my favorite genre, which I like to call "non-fiction that reads like fiction".

Tells of the famous mutiny on the British naval vessel Bounty in 1787. Commanded by William Bligh and, under him, Fletcher Christian, the ship sailed from England to Tahiti. After leaving the island, simmering tensions boiled over, and Christian took command of the ship, forcing Captain Bligh and sailors loyal to him onto a small boat. Miraculously, Bligh and his men survived and made their way back to England. Meanwhile, some of the mutineers returned to Tahiti, while others made their way to Pitcairn Island. O'Brien writes clearly, balances both sides of the story, and illustrates the book with dramatic watercolor-and-gouache paintings. The artwork sets the story's tone, defines the period, and brings the characters to life. Blocks of text almost give this the look of a graphic novel

My First... by Eva Montanari

"All Alice wants for her birthday is a doll. That is all—just a doll! She gets the baby carriage and embroidered socks ready. But her parents give her something entirely different! Will she learn to appreciate the extraordinary nature of her present? Will you? Unique artwork with unusual perspectives and colors fill this special book about a young girl’s enjoyment of her book."

from Amazon.com

Sophie Peterman tells the truth by Sarah Weeks

"PreS-Gr 2—In no uncertain terms, a girl warns readers about the perils of a new sibling. Looking like an alien at first, and the object of unwarranted praise and attention, a baby is prone to all manner of gross behaviors. Sophie reveals that the situation doesn't get better as the infant grows into a toddler (known as a "monster"): stealing Halloween candy, swallowing lucky marbles, and exhibiting general uninhibited behavior. She softens, though, when the monster begins to focus affection on her but leaves readers with a warning not to reveal this softness to parents lest they repeat the experience. "
from School Library Journal

A Dragon's Child: The Story of Angel Island by Laurence Yep

This story is based on the transcripts from one family's immigration interviews with the United States immigration officials at Angel Island, off the coast of California. Parts of the story are fictional, but each chapter begins with one of the interegation questions that the main character, Gim Lew Yep, or his father were asked during their interviews. The interviews were very intense, and officials would ask very indepth questions about Gim's house, his family and their occupations, the neighbors and their homes, as well as the numbers of doors and windows within a home. Such questions were asked to ensure that another individual didn't enter into the US under false pretenses. This story was an eye-opener into Chinesse immigration.

"A Season of Gifts" by Richard Peck

Mrs. Dowdell is back! The beloved, hilarious and outrageous grandmother from Peck's Newbery award winning series, (A Year Down Yonder and A Long Way from Chicago), is up to her old tricks. In this book, which takes place 20 years A Year Down Yonder left off, a preacher and his family move in next door to Grandma. This novel is from the point of view of the preacher's 12-year-old son. He finds it is a hard road to walk living in such a back water town. But with the help of Mrs. Dowdell, the unexpected happens. This book is a great read for all Richard Peck fans.