Unwind - Neal Shusterman

The recent re-discovery of 'dystopian' literature by teens, makes this a good choice for classroom study. Set in the near future, Unwind is set in a society where until the age of 16, you can be 'unwound' and your parts recycled.

Teenagers who question, challenge or are just not up to the grade, can have this 'punishment'.

Connor, Risa and Lev, challenge the system and survive - to help lead a struggle to change society...

Check out the book trailer here

Slated - Teri Terry

Imagine a world where up to the age of 18 a child's  brain can be re-programmed, any previous memories wiped and all emotions limited and controlled? What would happen when the memories of some of those who have been 'slated' begin to surface? Can you really eradicate the essence of a person?

Slated touches on these and other issues.

Kyla's mind has been wiped; she has been given to 'new' family and her life is controlled by the 'Lorders' (law and order agents). But like any society that is heavily repressed - there will be rebellion.
The first in a series of three, I enjoyed this dystopian view of our possible future.

The Phoenix files - Chris Morphew

I've been catching up on some teen fiction the last few weeks - namely this series by Australian author Chris Morphew.

The final book in the series - Fallout - is due for release and April. The end of the world is coming closer - except for the selected inhabitants of the twon of Phoenix - where nothing is as it seems. Teenagers and friends, Peter, Jordan and Luke have carried on the fight to discover the truth behind the Co-operative and the town of Phoenix.

Fast paced and full of action, this series is a must for the lovers of sci-fi.

You can check out the authors website here - Morphew

The dead - Charlie Higson

The sequel to Higson's The Enemy is actually a prequel! But it does go a long way into explain how the London (and presumably the rest of England) has been infected by a mystery virus.

Ed and Jack lead a band of boys who have survived the initial infection, in an attempt to escape the chaos of the adults who have succumbed to the virus.

They come under the 'protection' of Greg, a bus driver, who has collected a number of survivors on his tour bus.

Fast paced and action packed - the boys fight there way through to London - in the hope of finding other survivors, more food and a safe refuge. Pretty gruesome in places - mature teen reader material.

If you enjoyed The Enemy then this is a must. Book number three is due out this year - check out Higson's website here

The lost art - Simon Morden

I had read a couple of reviews of Morden's first novel, and was looking forward to reading it. There are not many books that I just don't get into - but unfortunately this was one!

I found the plot overly complicated and it just took too long to actually work out what was going on and for the two threads of the plot to weave together.

I'm a fan of dystopic, post apocalyptic fiction - but the lost world of the 'Users' didn't capture my imagination very well at all. I think the average teen reader would find it a very challenging read.

Lies - MIchael Grant

The 3rd in the 'Gone' series picks up where Hunger left off - the survivors are split into three distinct groups - those with special powers are feared by all others. A council of elected members are making the decisions - making life a little easier for Sam - but only for a while. The FAYZ is still in place and food and fresh water are becoming scarce. It appears that on top of everything else, those who die can return. Including Sam's arch enemy Drake.
As well as this one of the girls claims to be able to communicate with the children's parents on 'the other side' of the dome.

Fast paced and not quite as brutal as Hunger. Again more suited to mature junior readers as the content is scary.

The 4th instalment Plague is due next year.

Ebony Hill - Anna McKenzie

Ebony Hill is the sequel to The sea-wreck stranger - contuing the story of Ness and Dev - and the struggle for survival in a post apocalyptic world.

As the communities rebuild, Ness tries to find a place and identity amongst her newly found "family" and that is not easy . The community itself faces threat from other groups who choose force over collaboration and community spirit. This in itself is very topical as we as readers can see the connections between the treatment of prisoners of war in this text and the treatment of simialr detainees in places such as Guantanomo Bay. What are the boundaries of human behaviour in times of war? An age old question.

Fast paced and thought provoking.

Into the wilderness - Mandy Hager

Dystopian NZ fiction seems to be in favour this year.

The blood of the lamb was the first part of this trilogy. Into the wilderness carries the story on as Maryann, Ruth , Joseph and Lazarus flee from the control of the tribe and the 'floating city'. They reach their first destination, Marawa Island, only to be disappointed by the lack of life. As Joseph's health deteriorates they risk their lives once again and set sail to look for life further afield.

Their journey takes them to an all too familiar Australia, where illegal immigrants are still kept in atrocious conditions in detainment camps. Maryann and Ruth face further discrimination due to their colour. Has it all been worth it?

A fast paced and very emotional journey for the characters and the reader.

Fierce September - Fleur Beale

I really enjoyed the first book in this series - Juno of Taris - and was looking forward to reading this one.

Fierce September picks up the thread as the people of Taris are being evacuated from the island and the dome they have lived under for the last 30 odd years. The New Zealand (and the world) they return has changed considerably. While many of the settlements and cities remain, a new way of life is being followed. Juno and her 'tribe' hope to learn to be assimilated into this new life - but it will not be easy. Many think they should not have been allowed to enter NZ as refugees. Prejudice and 'racism' almost destroys the community's hopes for a new life.

Juno and her family are singled out for special attention - their special powers set them apart. Life in NZ will not be easy - it will also be dangerous.

Reasonably fast paced - the books provides an interesting insight as to how we treat refugees and those who are different.

Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins (The hunger games 3)

Wow! What could we expect from the third in this great series. Action and reflection. Tension and tenderness. Provocative and thoughtful.

A great conclusion. An ending that was expected and not.

What are we as humankind capable of?

Thank you Suzanne for a great read.

The Passage - Justin Cronin

Another one that I have been watching for awhile - I'm glad that I waited until almost the holidays before I started reading this, as I could not put it down! Engaging from the first page - and a mental challenge as I kept up with the array of characters; the change of settings and timezones.
The post-apocalyptic world has been overrun by vampire / human hybrid creatures. These are not the broody, good looking Twilight types, but bloody, violent creatures that tear bodies apart. Only Amy NLN (no last name) may have the answer.
A pity we'll have to wait till 2012 to find it out!!

Read more here

Patrick Ness - The ask and the answer

Finally got round to reading the second instalment in the 'Chaos walking' series.
Action packed from the first chapter - pretty riveting reading. The parallels to historical events are very clear - segregation and branding (banding) - have clear links to racial cleansing of the not too distant past.
The bond between Todd and Viola is believable as are the lengths they go to in order to survive.
The underlying question of moral responsibility in a time of war, makes for a very thought provoking book - for a mature junior reader.