THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS by John Boyne

The Boy in The Striped Pajamas is a book about innocence.  It's a look at the Holocaust through the eyes of a child.  Bruno, the main character in this book, is only nine. When his father's soldier work takes them to Auschwitz (or should I say Out-With?), how could he possibly understand the horrors going on around him?  How could he understand what his new friend Shmuel is going through?  How could he possibly understand the meaning of that fence?

This is one of my favorite Holocaust books.  The innocence is striking, and John Boyne writes so eloquently.  A must-read.

THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

The book The Hunger Games is a fantastic book written as the first installment of a three part series. 

The plot line focuses on Katniss Everdeen, a young girl growing up in a place called Panem, District 12, on a continent that used to be called North America.  After political upheaval in previous years, a cruel government named The Capitol has taken over. Every year the Capitol hosts The Hunger Games, a inhumane sporting tournament.  The Hunger Games is basically a fight for survival; two contestants, ages 12-18 are chosen from each district.  Then, all the contestants must try to survive until the end.  Brutal deaths and starvation is the end for most. 

I believe this book is based on the concept that war can turn people into monsters.  Katniss was a villager turned predator, along with everyone else in this competition.  Suzanne Collins really explores the consequences of war in this novel.

I really enjoyed this book, and I hope you enjoy it too!

Keep Reading,
Bookworm
xoxoxo