The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Seems like I've been reading a lot of disturbing futuristic teen novels lately. This one is particularly disturbing because it seems so real. A meteor hits the moon and life on earth will never be the same. Yes, it's the same event from Life as We Knew It, only this time the focus is on Alex Morales and his two sisters who live in New York City. Their parents are presumed dead and the three teens are on their own trying to survive in a deserted wasteland of a city. Everyone with resources has abandoned New York and those left behind have to do horrific things to survive (like stealing clothes and jewelry off of newly dead bodies). Volcanic eruptions have blocked the sun, leaving cold temperatures and no hope of growing food. Alex is only 17 and is trying desperately just to keep his two sisters alive. A major theme of this book is the family's Catholic faith and how it ultimately leads them toward hope. I found this to be a realistic touch—I'm sure in dire circumstances such as these people would rely heavily on their religious beliefs. This is not a happy book by any means, but I sure wanted to keep reading it. Recommended for 7th grade and up. 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Wow. I couldn't put this book down. Just imagine a horrible future in which a totalitarian government makes teenagers fight to the death in a reality show style game. It's entertainment for people who live in The Capitol but it's a brutal way to hold power over the poor people living in the other twelve districts. Our main characters are Katniss and Peeta, a girl and a boy from District 12. They are the unlucky losers in the annual lottery to see who is selected for The Hunger Games. Katniss can hunt and trap and shoot a bow and arrow so she seems to have a chance at survival. Peeta is strong and good hearted but doesn't seem to have a lot of survival skills.  Peeta obviously likes Katniss, but she doesn't want to make a new friend and then be forced to kill him. This book has lots of heart-stopping action but what I liked the most were the relationships. It's disturbing, but I think teens (grade 7 and up) will love it. I can't wait for the rest of the trilogy. (If you like books about how the government can turn evil, also read Unwind by Neal Shusterman.)

Chess Rumble by G. Neri

Marcus is a middle school kid with big problems in his life. His dad is gone, his sister died, and he's one fight shy of getting kicked out of school. His first reaction to any bad situation is to come out fighting—he even raises his fist to his own mother. Fortunately for Marcus he meets a chess master who teaches him how to win at chess by always thinking three moves ahead. Marcus uses this idea in his life and finds ways to make better decisions when dealing with bullies, his brothers, his principal, and his parents. The characters in this book talk like real kids on the streets and it's full of illustrations, so it's an easy book to read quickly. Although I thought Marcus's problems were resolved too easily, it's a book that will appeal to kids who might not normally enjoy reading. There's also a lot to talk about here for a book discussion.