"Wringer"by Jerry Spinelli

Most people don't have anything against pigeons, but this town does. Every year at Family Fest, on the last day, there is a pigeon shooting competition. If there is a wounded pigeon a wringer takes care of it. In this town all ten year old boys want to be wringers. Except for Palmer LaRue. He doesn't get why people want to hurt pigeons. What did pigeons ever do to them? When an unexpected visitor ends up at Palmer's window, he realizes that he has to make a decision, and a big one. One path will make him an outcast forever, and the other will leave him with a horrible secret for the rest of his life. Despite the freaky cover and sketchy name it wasn't very scary at all. The plot had slight rises, but nothing crazy, more like real life. Jerry Spinelli did a great job of showing the emotions throughout the book. I give it a 4 out of 5.

"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Five words, could not put it down! The rebellion spark has started and the inferno can't be stopped. Ever since Katniss refused to follow the rules of the Capitol nothing has been the same. Now Katniss has gone back to the games in the Quarter Quell. She has to go up against former victors of the games and keep Peeta alive. She has found that a huge force field surrounds the arena thanks to the help of Beetee and Wiress, tributes from district 3. She has also found out the trick of surviving, but can she do it?
     The plot was unstoppable and I was in love with the book. There were tons of surprises, and even if I tried I couldn't improve it. It gave the next book a great start. It was even better than the first book. I give it a 5 out of 5.

"The Magician" by Michael Scott

The second book of this series and even better than the first. Sophie and Josh Newman, a.k.a, twins of legend, are in Paris with Nicholas Flamel, Scathach, Saint-Germain, and the Maiden of Orleans. They are being hunted by Valkries, Dr. John Dee, Machiavelli, Dagon, and who knows what! Sophie's powers have been awakened and she now knows the magic of air and fire. Josh on the other hand is jealous of his sister and is considering going over to the evil side. Perenelle Flamel is stuck in Alcatraz prison and guarded by a sphinx. It's fast paced and rarely dull. Michael Scott has yet again put out another masterpiece. I say this book is a 5 out of 5.

"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

     Katniss Evergreen is a 16 year old girl living in the poorest district of Panem, the ruins of North America. The annual Hunger games are thought of as a death sentence, but when Katniss volunteers to take the place of her younger sister, she must be cunning, lovable, and most of all tough and strong. Winning means a life of luxury, losing means certain death. Suzanne Collins sweeps you into a world as diverse as it can get and as horrible and beautiful as possible. I look forward to reading the other two in the series and hope to see more of Suzanne Collins. This book is a 5 out of 5.

Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

Catherine is the daughter of a knight, but unlike a knight in shining armor, Catherine's dad is a beast that wants to marry her off to a pig. Not a real pig of course, although he is quite close to one. Catherine is and adventurous girl with a spirit of adventure. She hates the idea of embroidering, hemming, or anything ladylike really.  Her best friend is a goat boy and her idea of fun is setting the privy on fire. Suitors, she hates em, birds and chaos, she loves em. Karen Cushmans historical ficton is a work of art. I give this book a 5 out of 5.