Num8ers is exciting and fast paced. Jem was orphaned when she was eleven. Born with the ability to see numbers in people's eyes, she realizes that those numbers predict the date of their death. Jem isolates herself so that she doesn't have to see everyone's date of doom. But then, she meets Spider. He is odd and a misfit, just like her. This book will keep you turning the pages and wondering if fate can be altered.

Num8ers is on the 2011 Tayshas Reading List and has won the following awards:

* Angus Book Award
* Oxfordshire Book Award
* Stockport Schools Book Award, Key Stage 4
* Hounslow Book Award
* Wandsworth Fabulous Book Award 2010

The Hunger Games

Katniss Everdeen lives in a world that doesn't know freedom. Her district must choose two children to participate in the Hunger Games. When her frail sister is chosen, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She leaves her widowed mother and sister to go fight for her life, because in the Hunger Games, only one person will survive. Her beloved friend Gale commits to protect her family while she leaves to fight. The baker's son, Peeta, must also go to the Hunger Games. Katniss struggles to keep her distance with Peeta, because in her heart she knows, only one from her district will return. This fast paced story keeps you engaged from page one. Middle school students and up will devour this book so fast, they'll be scrambling for Catching Fire immediately. I loved this book and its memorable characters.

The Hunger Games have won the following honors:

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
USA TODAY BESTSELLER
WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'S BEST BOOKS OF 2008:
CHILDREN'S FICTION
NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK OF 2008
AN AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
TOP TEN BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS SELECTION
AN ALA NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK2009 ALA AMELIA BLOOMER PROJECT LIST
#1 ON WINTER '08/​'09 CHILDREN'S INDIE NEXT LIST
INDIES CHOICE--BEST INDIE YOUNG ADULT BUZZ BOOK HONOR
2008 CYBIL AWARD--FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION
2009 CHILDREN'S CHOICE BOOK AWARD
TEEN CHOICE BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALIST
NYPL “STUFF FOR THE TEEN AGE” LIST, 2009
CCBC CHOICES 2009
A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS' CHOICE
A KIRKUS BEST BOOK OF 2008
A HORN BOOK FANFARE
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOKS Of 2008
A BOOKLIST EDITORS' CHOICE, 2008
LA TIMES FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOKS, 2008
BARNES & NOBLE BEST BOOKS OF 2008
FOR TEENS AND KIDS
BORDERS BEST BOOKS OF 2008: TEENS
AMAZON BEST BOOKS OF 2008:
TOP 100 EDITORS' PICK
TOP 10 BOOKS: TEENS

The Grimm Legacy

Fairytales were something that Elizabeth and her mom enjoyed reading to each other.  When Elizabeth's mother dies and her father remarries, she finds herself feeling a bit out of place with her stepmother and stepsisters.  Elizabeth has only been at her new school four months when her favorite teacher, Mr. Mauskopf, gives her an assignment. After noticing she chose to write her paper on Grimm's fairy tales, he asks if she would be interested in a job.   Nothing could have prepared her for the magic she stepped into when she took the job at the New York Circulating Material Repository.  When Elizabeth learns the ropes and is finally given access to the Grimm Collection in Stack one, she encounters all the objects of her favorite fairy tales, from Snow White's mirror to the twelve pairs of fancy slippers from the dancing princesses.  This adventurous story has humor, romance, villains, magical creatures and even a flying carpet.  I would recommend this book to middle school students who enjoy fast paced action.

The Grimm Legacy is on the 2011 Lone Star Reading List.