Sunrise on the Reaping (Hunger Games Prequel) by Suzanne Collins

 Sunrise on the Reaping (Hunger Games Prequel) by Suzanne Collins-382 pages

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Haymitch Abernathy lives in District 12 of Panem with his mom and younger brother, Sid. It's his 16th Birthday and it's also Reaping day. He has 40 "tickets" in the drawing, but is hopeful his name (nor his girlfriend, Lenore Dove's name) is not drawn. All hell breaks loose at the District 12 Reaping after a boy whose name is called tries to run. Haymitch ends up as one of the two boy tributes from 12 and is separated from his family and girlfriend and must compete in the second Quarter Quell (50th Hunger Games). What awaits is absolutely heartbreaking and horrifying. 

Having read and watched the original trilogy of books/movies, I knew Haymitch would survive, but I didn't realize just how much he would endure during his own Reaping and Hunger Games. I can completely understand why he took to heavily drinking after reading his story in this book. That being said, this is a good book and on par with the original trilogy. 

Warriors: The Prophecies Begin: Forest of Secrets by Erin Hunter

 

Warriors: Forest of Secrets

2004 | 368 Pages

Summary: Allegiances are shifting among the Clans of warrior cats that roam the forest. With tensions so delicately balanced, former friends can become enemies overnight, and some cats are willing to kill to get what they want. Fireheart is determined to find out the truth about the mysterious death of brave ThunderClan warrior Redtail. But as he searches for answers, he uncovers secrets that some believe would be better left hidden. (Courtesy of Amazon)

Review: I am very glad to see that this series is still very popular with kids. I figured it would be fun to go back through the series as an adult to notice the things I didn't as a kid. It's a relaxing read for me, and is definitely a great book for getting kids into chapter books. This series was one of my first when I was younger, and I couldn't recommend it enough!

How to Survive in the Age of Pirates by Crispin Boyer

How to Survive in the Age of Pirates by Crispin Boyer -- 96 pages

This book gives a lot of information about pirates and piracy during the 17th and 18th centuries in the Caribbean.  It is given through the lens of someone from modern day being thrown back in time and having to survive.
I read this book in preparation for the homeschool class.  While I found it gave a lot of information, I did find the premise of a modern person being stuck back in time a little annoying.  Instead of focusing on the pirates' time it would instead give a present-day view of things -- such as when talking about common diseases and how to cure them.  Half of the time it talked about the historical issues and then the other half it talked about the diseases in modern times.  It was a little confusing.  Still, I would recommend this book to anyone wanting more information about pirates.
 

Horimiya, v. 15 & 16 by Hero

Horimiya, v.15 by Hero - 194 pages
Horimiya, v. 16 by Hero - 192 pages

These are the final two volumes in the Horimiya manga series.  The series ends with Hori, Miyamura, and their friends graduating high school.  It also includes a couple short stories about Hori's younger brother and friend.  
I had previously read these volumes when they first came out and was a little disappointed with them.  I decided to re-read them and see if I had a better reaction with a little time.  Unfortunately, I was still left wanting.  I wanted a better ending with more information about what they might do in the future.

Ghost Camera by Darcy Coates

 

Ghost Camera by Darcy Coates - 118 pages

A small number of cameras have the ability to capture ghosts on film. This gift comes at a steep price; the ghosts are resentful and hungry, and the cameras offer them a rare chance to reach their favourite prey… humans.

Jenine didn’t know any of this when she found an abandoned Polaroid camera in a lighthouse. At first she assumes the ghostly shapes in the photos are a glitch or a prank – but then the spirits begin to hunt her down, and she’s forced into a deadly race to free herself from the camera’s curse.

This is a nice, quick, spooky read.  I enjoyed re-reading it!

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs

 

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs - 381 pages

They say every house has its secrets, and the house that Maggie and Nina have shared for so long is no different. Except that these secrets are not buried in the past.

Every other night, Maggie and Nina have dinner together. When they are finished, Nina helps Maggie back to her room in the attic, and into the heavy chain that keeps her there. Because Maggie has done things to Nina that can’t ever be forgiven, and now she is paying the price.

But there are many things about the past that Nina doesn’t know, and Maggie is going to keep it that way—even if it kills her.

Because in this house, the truth is more dangerous than lies.

This book was ok...I found it slow at times.  It was pretty predictable but was still good.  I like the back and forth narrative between Maggie and Nina.  

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo (432 Pages)

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can't remember exactly when the feeling took root—that desire to look, to move closer, to touch. Whenever it started growing, it definitely bloomed the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. Suddenly everything seemed possible. But America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father—despite his hard-won citizenship—Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day.

Opinion: This teen book is a mixture of romance, realistic fiction and historical fiction. Malinda Lo's writing is gorgeous. She is able to weave in little clues about where the story is going that the reader won't fully pick up on until after finishing the novel. The main character Lily's character development is great. You really get to see her finally be herself by the end of the book even though there are consequences for it. I also loved getting glimpses (POVs) from Lily's family that helps explain their journey in Lily's story. The final ending was also so sweet.