The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Collins, S. (2008). The hunger games. New York: Scholastic.

Summary 
In a dystopian future, children from different districts are selected to participate in the Hunger Games, a fight to the death that is watched live by all citizens. When Katniss Everdeen's younger sister is selected, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She is sent to the Capitol in order to be prepared for the games, thrown together with Peeta, a boy from her district. As the games begin, Katniss must try to balance her will survive with her determination not to become a puppet in the Capitol's game.

Evaluative comments 
From the first pages of The Hunger Games, the reader is immersed in the very distinct world Collins creates. While the plot is well-paced and compellingly intricate, it never supplants the strong character development. Though the writing is slightly uneven at times, the strength of Katniss' character and the suspense and intrigue built up through the novel will not only hook readers until the ending, but will encourage many of them to go out and get the next book in the series. The wide appeal of the novel explains why this series is such a huge phenomenon in the YA publishing world. 

Suggested audience 
Grades 8-12

Reader’s advisory notes
Appeal terms - Action-packed, world-building, fast-paced, disturbing, bleak, suspenseful, menacing, gritty
Read-alikes - Catching Fire and Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins (series continuation); Birthmarked, Caragh M. O'Brien; Graceling, Kristin Cashore

Booktalking hook 
Set up the story by describing the history and premise the annual Hunger Games.

Reason for inclusion 
This book is the first entry in one of the most popular and bestelling YA series of the last decade.
Awards and Honours (selection) - Cybil Award - Fantasy & Science Fiction, 2008; YALSA'S Teens' Top Ten, 2009; A Kirkus Best Book, 2008; ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults Selection

Category 
Fantasy/Science Fiction/Horror, Controversial/Challenged/Banned, Award-Winning

Persepolis: the Story of a Childhood - Marjane Satrapi

Satrapi, M. (2003). Persepolis: the story of a childhood. New York: Pantheon Books.

Summary 
Persepolis: the Story of a Childhood is the autobiographical story of Marjane Satrapi's childhood in Iran, told through black and white comic strips. Beginning with the fall of the Shah, and continuing through the Islamic Revolution and the war between Iran and Iraq, we see Marjane's and her parents' everyday life, as well as the hardships they face during this period of history.

Evaluative comments 
This is an extremely well written and drawn graphic novel. Satrapi draws the reader in, both through the writing of each episode, and through her stark images. Appropriately, the book does not shy away from heavier topics, but there is a certain level of humour that prevents the book from becoming overwhelmingly dark. Not only is the story captivating, but it also presents an informative point of view on this particular period of Iranian history.

Suggested audience 
Grades 9-12

Reader’s advisory notes  
Appeal terms - Plot-driven, strong sense of place, disturbing, though-provoking
Read-alikes - Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return, Marjane Satrapi (sequel); Maus: A Survival's Tale, Art Spiegelman

Booktalking hook 
Read the last paragraph of the Introduction about Satrapi's reasons for writing Persepolis. Read and show "The Party" episode, pp. 40-46

Reason for inclusion 
Awards and Honours - Harvey Award, ALA Alex Award, 2004; Prix du Festival d'Angoulême for Alph-art du coup de coeur, 2001

Category 
Graphic Novel, Realistic, Award-Winning

Boy Meets Boy - David Levithan

Levithan, D. (2003). Boy meets boy. New York: Ember. 

Summary 
Paul is a high school sophomore, very involved in his school, and spends his free time with his close group of friends. When he meets Noah, a new boy at school, Paul quickly falls for him. But when things get complicated with Paul's ex, he has to find a way to win Noah back.

Evaluative comments 
Levithan creates an ideal high school, where sexuality and gender identity are not an issue and don't affect students' popularity. As a result, his book is upbeat and positive in a way that many LGBTQ books are not, giving a refreshing new perspective. The characters and their relationships are well developed and the humour in the novel hits a perfect note. The only shortcoming is that the story seems almost too short, and consequently feels a little rushed at times. Despite that, this book is well worth reading and sharing with teens.

Suggested audience 
Grades 9-12

Reader’s advisory notes
Appeal terms - Character-driven, amusing, romantic
Read-alikes - Absolutely, Positively Nice, David LaRochelle; My Most Excellent Year: a Novel of Love, Mary Poppins, & Fenway Park, Steve Kluger

Booktalking hook 
Read Paul meeting Noah at the bookstore for the first time (pp. 3-4) 

Reason for inclusion 
Awards and Honours -  Lambda Literary Award - Children/Young Adult, 2004; Booklist Best Books for Young Adults, 2004

Category
LGBTQ, Realistic, Award-Winning

Parrotfish - Ellen Wittlinger

Wittlinger, E. (2007). Parrotfish. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Summary 
Grady knows he's a boy, but almost everyone still insists on calling him Angela. His family treats his transition as a phase, and his former best friend shuns him at school. As others at school begin to torment him, Grady discovers new friends who accept his true identity.

Evaluative comments 
Parrotfish is one of the few teen books with a transgender main character. Through Grady, Wittlinger reflects on issues such as gender identity, transphobia, and gender stereotypes in a sensitive manner. The characters are fully developed, and while Grady's transition certainly provides the primary context for the novel, there are episodes and events that are not directly related. This wider focus lends the book more depth and saves it from becoming preachy.

Suggested audience 
Grades 9-12

Reader’s advisory notes 
Appeal terms - Issue-oriented, character-driven, leisurely paced, angst-filled, emotionally intense, reflective, thoughtful
Read-alikes - I am J, Cris Beam; Luna, Julie Anne Peters

Booktalking hook

Read Grady's imagined dialogues between his sister and mother (pp. 7-8) and between him and his former best friend (pp. 14-15)

Reason for inclusion 

Awards and Honours - Finalist, Lambda Literary Awards, 2008; NYPL Books for the Teen Age list, 2008; Nominated: ALA Stonewall Awards, 2008; Advocate Top Picks for Trans YA Fiction
ALA Rainbow List, 2008; Nominated: Cybils, 2007

Category 
LGBTQ, Realistic, Award-Winning

Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me - Julie Johnston

Johnston, J. (1994). Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me. Toronto: Stoddart.

Summary 

Fifteen-year-old Sara Moone has been in the foster care system for most of her life. When she turns sixteen, she will be able to leave foster care, and she plans to head north, the most remote location she can think of. Her final placement is on a farm in Ontario, with the Huddleston and two other foster sons. As she counts down the days until her sixteenth birthday, she writes about her daily life on her only friend, her computer.

Evaluative comments
Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me is well written, with very developed characters. It is given a voice through Sara's narration, and the honesty and cynicism that show through her entries into her computer help achieve an impressive balance of humour and seriousness. Many readers will be able to relate to Sara's sense of isolation.

Suggested audience 
Grades 7-12

Reader’s advisory notes 
Appeal terms -  character-driven, leisurely paced, amusing, bittersweet, moving, reflective,                       sarcastic, conversational, 
Read-alikes - Pinballs, Betsy Byars; Alice, I Think, Susan Juby

Booktalking hook 
Read the passage where Sara is explaining why she has no interest in finding her birth mother and her own future plans (p. 27)

Reason for inclusion 
Awards and Honours - 1994 Governor General's Award; 1995 CLA Young Adult Book Award

Category 
Canadian, Realistic, Award-Winning

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. New York: Dutton Books.

Summary 
Hazel is a teenager living with terminal cancer. At her cancer support group, she meets Augustus, who has lost his leg to cancer. The two grow closer, bonding over their shared experience and Augustus' discovery of Hazel's favourite book. 

Evaluative comments 
This is an extremely moving book with an unexpected sense of humour. The premise of the book runs the risk of becoming cliche and trite, but Green's excellent writing and vivid, real characters transcend cliche. The characters are very frank about their illnesses, unafraid to consider and discuss their more serious thoughts about dying. However, they do so with a certain degree of humour and optimism, allowing the book to retain a bittersweet mood. The result is a story that will touch readers, and leave them with many things to think about.

Suggested audience 
Grades 9-12

Reader’s advisory notes  
Appeal terms - Character-driven, moving, bittersweet, emotionally intense, engaging
Read-alikes -  How to Say Goodbye in Robot, Natalie Standiford; Before I Die, Jenny Downham

Booktalking hook 
Read episode in park behind the museum (pp. 85-90).

Reason for inclusion 
Awards and Honours - Booklist Editors' Choice - Books for Youth - Older Readers Category, 2012; Goodreads Choice Awards, 2012; Great Lakes, Great Books: Young Adult category; School Library Journal Best Books, 2012; YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2013

Category 
Realistic, Award-Winning