Teenager/Young Readers

Gone by Michael Grant	It's getting familiar - this was a present from Amy. She read the first one but not the rest. I end up downloading all 6! (Gone, Hunger, Lies, Plague, Fear, Light). This is similar to the others of the genre, but much better written, stays longer in the memory and really asks the question of what would happen if there were no adults! I suppose a sort of super natural Lord of the Flies. By book six (Light), I was desperate to know how it ended - it wasn't predictable and yet it was as there was no other outcome imaginable. Of all the recent series of books read, this is the best since Hunger Games. Sheila/July 2014
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare	Yes another "you must read this Mum" book that I end up doing all in the series. Apparently the author wrote a lot of fan fiction - and you can probably tell from the writing style. It's a sort of Twilight/Harry Potter mix. The story tends to be a little predictable, but as usual once I start I have to finish. Have seen the film which was reasonable - although can't imagine they will make any more. Average read. Sheila/March 2014
Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth	Similar in theme to Hunger Games/Mortal Instruments. The main heroine is a 16 year old called Beatrice (clearly all the latest teenage books all have female main characters of that sort of age)! She lives in a part of America that is split into 5 different factions based on character. The story is fast paced, over 3 books and quite a cliff hanger towards the end. It is very unusual to have the sort of ending it does (definitely not saying what) which leaves you feeling a bit bereft. Amy as usual persuaded me to read the first book so that I would then buy the rest in the series - clever girl. Sheila/January 2014
Delirium by Lauren Oliver	A wonderful cross between the Hunger Games and Romeo and Juliet. Set in a post apocalyptic America, love has been outlawed as causing too much grief and stress. A procedure has been developed to remove the offending emotion at the age of 18. The central character Lena is fast approaching this date and looking forward to the "cure" to be like all the rest of the adult population with the rite of passage operation when she falls in love....... Sheila/December 2011
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins	Recommended by Karen and then Amy announces "oh yes I've read that - it's really good." A better written, more exciting, more real and thoroughly gripping trilogy than Twilight! Apparently Suzanne Collins was switching from tv war reports to reality tv - which sums up the story. A story of survival where a society gives up its children to put them into a battle called The Hunger Games where they are then trained to kill and only the winner survives. The way the book is written - nice and simply - for it's audience is brilliant, the story gallops so quickly you need feel you to read all 3 books quickly to find out what happens to Katniss and Peeta. Being made into a film due out March 2012. Read asap!! Sheila/July 2011
Shadow by Michael Morpurgo	Michael Morpurgo takes an item of news or current events or a picture and weaves a tale round them. (In this case army dogs in Afghanistan). From this first premise comes the tale of Aman fleeing from the horrors of war to a new life in the UK. Because Michael writes for younger readers, the writing is simple, eloquent and incredibly moving. I love his books and have subsequently read others (including War Horse), but nothing compares to the first one I read. Good reading for younger readers and older ones alike!! Sheila/October 2011
Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyers	It's the sort of easy to read book, again clearly designed for the younger audience, not particular challenging or fantastically written, but still gets you gripped with the tale of Bella, Edward and Jacob. Having seen the films now (albeit waiting for the final one), it's now difficult to separate the two. Found the fourth book the best, but all were enjoyable - a sort of guilty pleasure. Sheila/2009
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J K Rowling	Without giving anything away (and that's if you're even interested in Harry's ultimate fate), the final book really is excellent in its own right, forgetting the hype and previous 6 volumes. JK Rowling has a host of loose ends to tie up for the reader, which she does in a non-linear, satisfying way so that by the end you really appreciate the hard work and vision she's put in to lead the whole series towards the climax and resolution. If you gave up on HP after the first couple, it's worth trying the later books as they shift gear to ever-increasing stakes, matching Harry's own growing maturity and sense of responsibility. Natalia/September 2007
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time by Mark Haddon	Great story. You really see life from the view of a young boy with autism and how other people react to him - Karen/June 2005 Really loved the simplicity and innocence of this book - Sheila/May 2005 Went and saw the play when broadcast by NT Live. Excellently acted and the stage was superb. Well worth going to see even if you weren't aware of the book. Sheila/June 2014
Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor	Another Tracey special - not sure if for children or adults, but a very unusual book - brilliant for a quick and different read (an updated version of Alice in Wonderland). Sheila/August 2005 This was a very enjoyable read. It is a very clever story which moves between an imaginary and real world. It has been a long time since I read Alice in Wonderland, but it certainly brought back memories. The character of Alyss in the story is very likable and you feel her struggle to cope with her life in each of the worlds she enters. The evil queen in the story reminded me of the Lion, Witch and Wardrobe. It is hard to know if it is written for children, but for adults who know the classic Alice in Wonderland story, it is certainly a enjoyable reminder -Karen/February 2006