Matched

Matched by Ally Condie

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Although there are obvious overtones of other futuristic societies in this book such as in Brave New World, 1984, the Giver, or even Hunger Games, the story has a unique quality. In this society everything is decided for you from what you eat to whom you marry. No one lives past 80 because society has determined that your usefulness is over by that time. Cassia, our heroine, trusts that the government has her best interest at heart, until the day she is "matched" to her partner for life. Instead of just showing the picture of Xander, her friend and future partner, the computer also flashes a picture of Ky, another boy in her neighborhood. Since this is something that never happens, she is confused. Her "official" tries to explain it away, but this opens up questions in her mind about the flawless nature of the society she lives in. Trust soon turns to distrust. The story moves along at a nice pace with the end begging for the sequel. Some reviewers suggest that the book should be for 14 and up, but it would be fine for the mature 7th grader.



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Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I had to read this book. This is the favorite book of one of the best readers here at Union Middle School. She routinely picks this book off the shelf in between reading other books. I had to know what the attraction was. I must admit, I could see immediately why this book has such a hold on her. Diana Wynne Jones makes this most unique fantasy come alive. Sophie, the heroine, is turned into an old woman by the wicked witch of the waste. She quietly leaves the hat shop where she works with her stepmother, and ends up at the castle of the sorcerer Howl. Howl has a reputation of stealing the souls of young girls. The curse of being an old woman changes Sophie. Her personality comes alive. She becomes an outspoken,delightfully pushy old woman. As such, Sophie is able to work her way into the castle and becomes Howl's cleaning lady. She meets his apprentice Michael, and his fire demon, Calcifer. The story has many magical elements, including the "Moving Castle" which moves across the countryside. Sometimes it is hard to follow with so much magic going on, but it Wynne has a way of making magic seem believable. Truly a fun read.



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Beastly

Beastly by Alex Flinn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I thought I'd better read this before the movie came out. It was an interesting take on the Beauty and the Beast story. Looking at the movie trailers, it looks like the movie "beast" is little more like a guy with a lot of tattoo-like things on his body rather than the hairy beast he is in the book. The author stays closer to the fairy tale, but the contemporary setting makes it one that will appeal to most middle school readers, boys and girls. With the movie coming out, many students will be asking for this book.



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