by Lauren Rogoff

If you loved the Hunger Games trilogy and shared the experience with your niece or nephew - if you shared wide-eyed moments with them wondering what would happen to Katniss and Peeta, or if you commiserated over lost sleep as you stayed awake for chapter after chapter, then you’re probably pretty excited for the opening of The Hunger Games in theatres.  Suzanne Collins created a haunting world.  Other authors have created their own fascinating universes in the realm of young adult science fiction for you to dive into and share with your nieces and nephews.  The books below will have you turning pages until the very last:

The Maze Runner By James Dashner
The Maze Runner echoes The Hunger Games in many ways – it’s the start of a trilogy, depicting an earth that has gone awry, and tells the story of teenagers thrown into a competitive, life-or-death situation.  But the world of The Maze Runner is completely unique and gripping.  It tells the story of Thomas, who wakes up with no memory, welcomed by a group of fellow teens into what they call the Glade – an open expanse surrounded by imposing walls, which no one dare leave after dark.  No one knows how or why they have been placed in the Glade.  A girl – the only one – arrives the day after Thomas with an ominous message.  This is an adventurous, suspenseful, action-packed tale, with a more masculine inflection than The Hunger Games and so especially great to recommend to a teenage nephew, but has enough emotion to be beloved by aunties, nieces and nephews alike.

The Emerald Atlas By John Stephens
The Emerald Atlas tells the story of orphan siblings Kate, Michael, and Emma.  After shuffling around various orphanages for ten years, the siblings find themselves in a giant old house owned by a mysterious man.  Upon exploring the house, they discover a green leather-bound book (the titular ‘emerald atlas’) that takes them on a breathtaking adventure through time.  The writing is enchanting and the story is gripping, calling to mind classic adventures like The Chronicles of Narnia, with a completely original plot.

The City of Ember By Jeanne DuPrau
The City of Ember, with no light in the sky, has subsisted for 250 years on the light provided by streetlamps and supplies of necessities, stacked in cavernous storerooms.  But as resources dwindle, two friends embark on the journey to figure out what the future holds for this city and whether there is a way out.  This book is aimed at a slightly younger audience and may resonate with younger nieces and nephews.

Ender’s Game By Orson Scott Card
A brilliant child, Andrew “Ender” Wiggin, has been born, along with his brother and sister, as a child genius, to be trained as a soldier in defense of alien attack.  This is the tale of Ender, his battles, both in training, as he fights in the gravity-free Battle Room, and in his mind, where he struggles with his memories and relationship with his family.  This tale is a science fiction classic for a reason – it is a fascinating, complex tale that draws in readers of all ages.


Photo: http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/
Published: March 20, 2012