Hush Little Baby (Mockingjay)

I have had Mockingjay for a week, but after reading a few pages realized I couldn't remember what happened in the last book, so I went and reread the last few chapters of Catching Fire.  Last night I was able to consume the book. It didn't disappoint me. These books are in that obsession area where you think about them constantly if you aren't reading them and will for a week or longer after you finish. It's not that I think it was the greatest work of literature, just a book that cuts you to the quick.  The author can make you feel the pain of the characters, see the horrible things they do and still feel empathy for them. Amazing if you think about it. I don't want to spoil the story for anyone so I won't say more. I know I've been critical of this trilogy for being targeted at middle schoolers.  I'm still not sure if I agree on that one unless they read the entire triology. But, this last book does finally make the point the author wanted to get across in the first two books (but never really did)- that war is hell.  My hunger is finally satisfied.  Great job, Suzanne Collins!

Poppy

We have been having a rat problem in our old house this winter (I have Wildlife guys here right now trying to figure it all out) 
So it's fitting that I have been reading books about rats and mice I suppose...
First the Underland books, and now

Last night I read "Poppy and Rye" the second in the Poppy/Dimwood series.  They are so cute, and even though they are easy reads they have good learning opportunities on friendship, playing by the rules, being a rebel, being yourself, love...
I haven't read any to the kids yet, but I will!

Rats

She did it again.

I have a new favorite author I think. Suzanne Collins keeps you hanging, and interested, which is great for a night-reading insomniac such as myself.

After being disappointed that the next Hunger Games book doesn't come out until Sept. 2010, I started on her Gregor series. I read the first and now on the second.

These books are much more in the middle school age range (compared to the Hunger series which I would be way too intense for my 7th grader.) Fun, slightly scary, full of giant rats, cockroaches, and bats (all of whom can talk.) Great for boys or nature-happy kids like mine.

Gregor is such a real, likeable 11 yr old boy who has much put upon him when his dad disappears. He cares for his sisters and grandmother when his mom is at work, even changing diapers and doing laundry.

Laundry-

which leads him to the Underland... a modern day rabbit hole.

Think these will be our next read-alouds.