Book Review #4

Before-note: This book review is quite a let-down. I know. I couldn't exactly find any really good books but i promise the next one would be better. Anyway, just to let you know, starting from next week, i might put up a monthly science post about animal or anything that i found out. This month would be kangaroos. Don't ask why.

The Hunger Games

Written by Suzanne Collins

Pulished by Scholastic Press

Pages: 378 (approx)

Blogger's note

Personally, I didn't exactly enjoyed reading this book. I don't exactly know why, I just don't. I would give a 4/5 for this one. However, i must congratulate Collins for she couls really express her feelings with words. It really made me felt scared for the main charater, Katniss, afraid that she might be in danger. It is one of those rare books that can make your imagination lively. Collins also express herself very well, so I wasn't confused exactly. An added bonus is that throughout the story, bits of information about the new North America is asserted in such a way that you wouldn't feel that you are lectured. Although I didn't really enjoy it, it was a great book about survival, friendship, fear and humanity.

Synopsis

In the near future, North America has been devided into 13 ditricts. To punish the citizens of all districts, the Capitol, the ruler of the new North America launched an annual game that will remind the citiens of the districts about the cost they pay for betraying them that is broadcasted live throughout the nation. Every year, a two chlidren, one boy and one girl is chosen amongst all the children ranging from 12-16 to fight to their deaths in the annual Hunger games. Katniss Everdeen was aghasted when her sister, Primerose was chosen and chose to take her sister's place instead for Prim was the whole world to her. As a illegel hunter, survivng is Katniss's second nature. The other person chosen was a boy called Peeta Mallark, known to Katniss as the boy with the bread, a strong baker. Throughout the story, she met friends and foes, survivng in a land where everyone is determine to kill each other. Could she make through the Hunger Games? Can she save Peeta's life as well? Read the book!

Apricots at Midnight

Written by Adele Geras

Pages: 189

Published by Barn Owl Books

Blogger's Note

This is a sweet and simple story. Nothing much to say but I felt content, reading this book. It wasn't exactly touching, it wasn't dramatic, it just had its own gracefulness of simpleness that makes it a book. It's very nice. I give it a 5/5. As a child I always liked short stories and this book provided me much more then mere entertainment. It provided me the simplity of life. For those who love action, plot and extremely solid characters, I suggest you to stay off this book. It ain't going to provide you these. For those who needed a break and just read something simple for a change, read on.

Synopsis

Every peice of material on Aunt Penny's wonderful quilt has a story behind it. As the stories go on, the story of Aunt Penny was reveiled, one by one, reveiling a charming yet simple story of one's childhood. Aunt Penny, now an old women, tells her neice the story of how a particular peice of cloth came, as the story of her past unravvels, the main character found out that there was so much of her Aunt Penny that she didn't knew. Just so simple. Ha ha. Throughtout this story, i found out that we must never ever froget that those of elders too have had a childhood. Their not old, they've just simply grown.

For Younger Chlidren

Ereth's Birthday

Written by Avi

Published by Harper Collins

Pages: 180

Blogger's Note

This is a very heartwarming animal story that one would find it hard to forget. I highly recommand it for children among 6-10. This story shows that love can break through the boundaries between races and types and also responsibility towards ones friends and family.

Synopsis

It was Ereth the old porcupine's birthday. But nobody seems to remember! Even his best friend Rye and Poppy were nowhere to be seen. Ereth was angry and he decided to give himself a treat, if no on would. Ereth loved salt and he was determined to find some for his own pleasure and so off he sets in search the salt. Ereth knew just the place, near the cabin. On his way, he stumbles upon a dying mother fox who begged Ereth to take care of her children. Agreeing, Ereth became the foster father to three boisterous fox kits. At first, Ereth was clearly annoyed with the situation he got himself into but as time goes by, the old pocupine finds himself warming up to the three foxes. But good things don't last long. With Marty, a vicious fisher stalking him and the kits' father determined to show Ereth who is the real boss, the old porcupine was in for a challenge of his life.

P.S. Apricots at Midnight is also suitable for younger children, just thought that older readers should once in a while rekindle the childhood joy of reading simple books.