A chance at a million dollars?!

Who wouldn't like a chance to win a million dollars?  Thirteen-year-old Whisper Nelson, the main character in The Million Dollar Kick by Dan Gutman actually has her doubts.  She's geeky, unpopular, and can't stand any kind of sports.  After winning a contest that her sister entered her in, she can win the big bucks if she can score a goal against Carmen Applegate, star of the local professional soccer team.  She hasn't touched a soccer ball since a huge soccer mistake in third grade...should she even try? Carmen is trying to psych her out, but with encouragement from classmate Jess and high school goalie Ellie, Whisper decides to try.  References to the environment throughout the story don't seem to fit it, but you'll understand the link at the end of the book.  Give it a shot!

Oh. My. Gosh.

I can't remember the last time I was so quickly drawn into a book as when I read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins!  This amazing story had my attention from the first page.  North America no longer exists; now there's the country of Panem, which consists of the cruel Capitol and twelve surrounding districts.  Every year the Capitol makes each district send one boy and one girl to the Hunger Games, a battle to the death, which all the citizens of Panem are required to watch on live TV.  When Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the Games, she has to battle not only the other 23 "tributes," but also harsh terrain, weather that's gleefully manipulated by the Capitol, and her own uncertain feelings towards Peeta, the other tribute from Katniss' district.  The plot twists, turns, and constantly keeps the reader on edge.  This absolutely riveting book is followed by two more: Catching Fire and Mockingjay.