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ACS Library News and Reviews

Congratulations to Milena P.
Overall Champion
of the Third Annual ACS Middle School Poetry Slam

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Mr Crandell's Book of the Week

Title: Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Science Fiction / Survival
Interest Level: Grades 7 and up
4 stars

Sometimes it’s easiest to rate a book on the basis of how long I can set it aside before I want to pick it up again. By that measure, this is one of the best books I’ve read all year. I was especially impressed with how Collins was able to make the Hunger Games scenario seem fresh, without introducing much in the way of new characters or conflicts. On the other hand, the Quell concept seemed contrived. And Katniss remains frequently mystified, as regards both the games and her role as the symbolic leader of a revolution. With all that in mind, her death-defying feats are almost Batman-esque. President Snow can’t find a convenient way to kill Katniss, so he builds ever-more elaborate traps that fail at the precisely perfect moment. Katniss’ escapes are admittedly spectacular. That’s going to be enough to help me blitz through the finale, whenever it appears. 

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