Little Brother

Title: Little Brother 
Author: Cory Doctorow
Published:
ISBN:
Price:
Other books in the series: Homeland
Genre: science fiction
Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel, Nebula Award Nominee for Best Novel, Locus Award Nominee for Best Young Adult Book
Plot Summary: Marcus is a 17 year old hacker who is trying to stay off his principal's radar. One day while out skipping school with his friends his hometown of San Francisco is attacked by terrorist and he and his friends are mistakenly taken in by the department of homeland security, or DHS, as suspected terrorists. Despite their pleas that they are innocent the government keeps them detained in a secret prison and interrogates them for days. Marcus is separated from his friends and is treated like a terrorist. They demand that he give them information even thought Marcus continues to tell them that he did nothing. None of the teens are able to call their families, they are never read their rights or given a lawyer. The people holding them hostage tell Marcus that as a possible terrorist he has no rights, even if he is a US citizen and a minor. When Marcus is finally released he finds out the his friend Daryl who was taken prisoner with them wasn't released and is missing. DHS tells Marcus that he can tell no one of the ordeal and that he will be under careful surveillance  If he attempts to do anything suspicious the DHS will come back for him and chances are he won't be released. Marcus has also found that after the terrorist attack DHS has started to encroach on people's right to privacy, all in the name of security. Determined to get back at DHS, Marcus helps form an underground movement to bring down the DHS. But can a group of teenagers really bring down a government agency?
Critical Review: Cory Doctorow is very knowledgeable when it comes to technology. His knowledge is on display in this story. With a story dealing heavily in computer hacking terms and technology it could have easily become a story full of jargon and not reader friendly for the less tech savvy. But Doctorow is able to provide the necessary information without it dragging down the story and it never comes across like he is talking down to the reader. Instead the use of technology makes it feel modern and realistic. The story also plays on some very real life situations and issues in the United States. The story is creepily realistic, in the sense that as a reader you start to think that this sort of thing is very possible. These issues of government overreach, torture, privacy and security are all very real issues that are currently being debated in politics. For many teens who are soon to be of voting age this story might open their eyes to some more pressing political issues.
Reader's Annotation: After a terrorist attack on San Francisco Marcus and his friends are mistaken for terrorists. Now the DHS are watching his every more, but Marcus is determined to take them down.
Bibliotheraputic Usefulness: The story brings to light many political issues that teens may not be aware of or don't take much interest in. This books really shows how these issues can impact young people in a big way. There is also this idea that young people do have power and can make things happen by working together and not giving up. Marcus could have easily just given in to the DHS but he felt what they were doing was wrong and he stood up for it. This could help teens see their own potential to fight things that they feel are unjust.
Book Talk Ideas: Some of the themes that the book talk could cover would be protection of privacy vs safety, government overstepping it's reach and abusive government, terrorism, technology and how it is effecting privacy and safety.
Issues: The book shows government, especially Homeland Security, in a very negative and oppressive light. The teens engage in illegal activity like computer hacking of school and government websites. Some may think that Marcus's illegal activity is glorified or encouraged. The book also has teenage drinking and sex. Marcus is tortured in the book and he is even water boarded at one point in the story.
Author Website:
Professional Reviews:
Read Alikes:
Why include this book? In a post 9-11 world this book is very relevant to the issues that face the world. The book while science fiction could easily become reality and I believe it talks about some very important issues of freedom and privacy and the role of the government in keeping people safe.

The Maze Runner

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Published: Oct. 2009
ISBN: 0385737947
Page number: 374
Price: $16.99
Other books in the Series: The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, The Kill Order
Genre: dystopia, fantasy
Reading Level:  6th grade
Interest Level: 6th grade and up
Awards: YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults (2011), Abraham Lincoln Award (2012), Reviewers' Choice Award Nominee for Best Young Adult Paranormal/Fantasy Novel (2009)
Plot Summary: Thomas wakes up to find himself in the Glade with no recollection of life before he awoke. The Glade is home to a bunch of young boys called Gladers who each have a job to do in the Glade. Outside the Glade lies a large maze that closes every night. Every day the boys work to try and get out of the maze but they can't seem to find the exit before the maze closes every night. At night strange and deadly creatures come out of the maze and the boys must retreat to the Glade for safety.  Everyone month a new boy shows up, just like Thomas, and they have no idea of life before the  maze but the day after Thomas shows up a girl appears. That is when everything goes wrong. The maze doesn't close at night and the Gladers are now exposed to the dangers within the maze. Their only choice for survival is to escape but what lies outside the maze? 
Review: The story is fast paced and action packed. The mystery of the maze and why they are all there drives the story. Though it seems that as the story moves along there is more questions than answers. Of course the story is part of a series so many of those question can be answered in later stories. There is quite a bit of violence but the story is one of survival and not every kid in the maze makes it out. The story ends on a cliffhanger with the reader eager to start the next book.
Reader's Annotation: Thomas wakes up to find himself in a maze with no idea of who he is or where he is. Thomas is just another boy who has found himself trapped in the maze but everything changes when a girl shows up.
Book Talk Ideas: The story is built on mystery and suspense so that same feeling should be brought to the book talk. Perhaps using many of the stories unknowns to draw in the audience.
Issues: The story is a dystopian theme with violence, betrayal and government conspiracy.

Main Themes: secrecy, violence, coming of age, survival, betrayal, government conspiracy

Bibliotherapeutic usefulness: The story is one of survival and struggle and teens perhaps gain strength from the characters ability to overcome deadly creatures and other trials in the maze.
Read-alikes: Code by Kathy Reichs and Shade's Children by Garth Nix
Author Website: http://www.jamesdashner.com/
Professional Reviews: Kirkus Reviews

Why chose this book: The series is very popular, especially amont teen boys who love the action and suspense. The story has received some controversy for it's violence.

The Hunger Games

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Published: Sept. 2008
ISBN: 0439023483
Page number: 374
Price:$10.99
Other Books in the Series: Catching Fire, Mockingjay
Reading Level: 7th grade 
Interest Level: 6th grade and up
Awards: ALA Notable Children's Book for Older Readers (2008), School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2008), Cybils Award for Young Adult Fantasy and Science Ficton (2008), ALA's Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults (2009), New York Times Notable Children's Book (2009), Publisher's Weekly Best Books of the Year (2008), Horn Book Fanfare (2008)
Plot Summary: North America is now known as Panem and consists of 12 districts that are all controlled by The Capitol. Years before there was a war and the 13th district was completed destroyed and after that The Capitol started the Hunger Games to remind the people of Panem of how violence destroyed them. The Hunger Games are a yearly game that has teens from the ages 12-18 fighting for their life until only one emerges as the sole survivor and winner. The tributes as they are called are chosen at random every year and each district choses a boy and girl to compete. Katniss is from one of the poorest districts and when her sister is chosen she volunteers to go in her place. Now Katniss is part of the televised spectacle that is The Hunger Games. She may not have the training or powerful backing that some of the other tributes has but Katniss is determined to win and come back to her family. But can Katniss survive or will she just be another in a long line of those who fall victim to The Hunger Games.
Review: The story is exciting and suspenseful with lots of action at every turn. But Suzanne Collins does a great job of showing just how manipulative The Capitol can be. While there is plenty of violence in the book there is also lots of remorse and emotion associated with the deaths. I believe this shows the appalling nature of such violence rather than glorifying the violence. I also think that Collins has created a great character in Katniss. Even though Katniss at times can come across as too practical and emotionless she exposes a softer side at times, especially in the case of Rue that readers will find appealing. 
Reader's Annotation: Every year The Capitol holds The Hunger Games, a fight to the death with only one winner. Every year each of the 12 districts of Panem will chose 2 tributes that are 12-18 years old. But when Katniss's little sister is chosen to be apart of the games she volunteers to take her place. Now Katniss must outwit and kill her opponents and survive the games but will the odds be ever in her favor?
Bibliotherapeutic usefulness: The book can allow teens to see someone they relate to overcome great odds and survive. They can be inspired to overcome their own challenges. It may also show how corrupt people with control can become and that you have to fight for what is right even when it is difficult.
Issues: The book is a very bleak depiction of the future that includes a corrupt and overly powerful government. There is quite a lot of violence and death of young children and teens that many may find to be over the top or offensive.
Book Talk Ideas: 
Genre: dystopia
Main Themes: survival, government control
Read-alikes: Divergent by Veronica Roth, Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Author Website:http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/
Professional Reviews: Kirkus Reviews
Publisher's Weekly
Why this book was chosen: This series is widely popular with teens and adults especially since the series has been turned into movies. It has hooked a lot of reluctant readers into reading again and with it's popularity has brought about controversy with it's violence and bleak depiction of the future.