Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The Teen Menu

Welcome to 2012, otherwise known as the year The Hunger Games hits theaters! (Yes, I'm anxiously awaiting March.) I'm sure it's going to be another wonderful year here on The Romance Dish. I know we're going to have lots of great YA news and book reviews in my monthly Teen Menu posts. So let's get started.

YA News

Speaking of The Hunger Games, there's an awesome new movie poster out now. Lionsgate, the film's distributor, held an online scavenger hunt to find pieces of the poster. Once assembled, it's way cool. What do you think of it?

Universal Pictures recently acquired the rights to YA novel Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I've not read this book yet, but I've seen it in stores.

Paramount Pictures has acquired the screen rights to Colleen Houck's Tiger's Curse. This is another book on my to-read list. It got a lot of buzz at the beginning of 2011.


YA Reviews

This past month, I managed to read a very enjoyable YA book during all the holiday craziness. Ashfall by Mike Mullin is the first in a post-apocalyptic series about Alex, a teenage boy from Iowa, and what he endures after the supervolcano under Yellowstone National Park explodes, sending the planet into a prolonged winter with no sunlight. I've always loved stories of survival and that's what Ashfall is at its core. Alex, who was home alone when the volcano erupted, sets off on a journey to Illinois to find his parents and younger sister, who had gone to visit Alex's uncle. Along the way, he meets people who help him and others who are a threat to his very life.

When the way we are used to living is sent into chaos, man quickly descends into basic survival mode. With no electricity, dipping temperatures, air that's dangerous to breathe, no way to travel other than on foot, and the constant search for food and water, Ashfall is an edge-of-your-seat read. It's one part scary and one part hopeful, particularly when Alex finds people who haven't lost their humanity or kindness in the midst of the eruption's aftermath. He has to grow up fast and learns there's more strength in him than he ever knew. He also finds an unexpected friend, and perhaps more, when Darla, a teenage girl, and her mother nurse him back to health after he's injured by one of the people bent on taking whatever the want however they can.

The sequel to Ashfall, Ashen Winter, is scheduled to be released in October.

18 comments:

  1. I read ASHFALL & thought it was a very good read.

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  2. Ashfall was one of my favorite books of 2011! It's taking a little time but Im so glad it's getting more notice:)

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  3. Hey, Trish! I havent read THE HUNGER GAMES books, but the movie looks terrific. I can't wait to see it. As always, thanks for keeping us in the know!

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  4. Oh my! Ashfall sounds like it is a gripping novel that pulls one in and doesn't let go until the last page is read. I got shivers as I read the synopsis. I'm sure that when I do read it, I will need to wear a sweater. :-) Thanks so much for sharing!

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  5. marybelle and Bella, Ashfall was one of my favorite reads of last year too. For some reason, I really like post-apocalyptic YA fiction.

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  6. Andrea, if you have the time at all, I'd highly recommend reading The Hunger Games before seeing the movie. It's awesome.

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  7. Connie, I have to admit it kind of made me want to create a huge stockpile of food and water. :)

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  8. Trish, ASHFALL does sound good and I will pick it up to read it! I am curious to see how the survival aspect is handled by a teen. (Or, how the author writes from the teen perspective, I guess.) What's your suggestion, age-wise?

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  9. Deb, I'm always hesitant to answer the age range question because kids read at different levels and mature at different rates. I'd probably say maybe 14 and up.

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  10. Thanks, Trish. You're right about reading levels...I was just thinking, I guess, maturity level. My daughter is only 11 and reads at an 8th grade level, but there are some books I won't let her read....if you know what I mean.

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  11. Deb, 11 is probably pretty young. There is violence and a sexual situation.

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  12. Oh, I wouldn't let her read it, especially if I haven't read it first. I'm very picky about what she reads.

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  13. Thanks, Trish! Most of THE HUNGER GAMES was filmed up the road from here (in Shelby, NC) so we've been getting a lot of promo on local TV stations.

    ASHFALL looks good!

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  14. So many wonderful books are coming out in the YA market. It is a great time to be a teen reader.

    I am looking forward to the HUNGER GAMES movie. Thanks for an interesting post, as usual.

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  15. My daughter is about to die waiting for The Hunger Games! The trailers look amazing.

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  16. Hey Trish! My oldest son got The Hunger Game book in his stocking this year. His Language Arts teacher has been raving about it so he said he'd give it a try.

    How ironic that you mention Tiger's Curse ... see said son is currently reading the 2nd one in that series -- Tiger's Quest -- and he is really enjoying it.

    I'm just happy he is reading - LOL!

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  17. You've got my attention, Trish. Added Ashfall to my wish list.

    Can't wait for The Hunger Game movie release, too.

    Tami

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  18. Thanks for spending some of your precious reading time with ASHFALL, Trish. Glad you enjoyed it. I completely agree with your 14+ age recommendation, by the way. I tell parents of younger teens they should read it first.

    By the way, I LOVE The Hunger Games! I'm not sure if I can watch the movie--I have such a strong picture of that book in my mind--I don't know if I want it replaced.

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