novel in verse uses numerous graphics to excellent effect: military time entries in red next to Maya’s stream-of-consciousness narrative establish her anxiety and racing thoughts, wavy fonts mimic the rolling of the earth, illustrative placement of different-sized text and punctuation marks turn text into pictures, and a sparingly used background of concentric circles calls to mind the ripple effects of the disaster and its effects on Maya.

It’s been a decade since the Capitol overcame an uprising and instituted the bloody Hunger Games as punishment. Some families, like the Snows, lost much in the war. Coriolanus, 18, hides his poverty with charm and fights for acclaim in school, hoping success will restore the Snows to their former glory. Mentoring a tribute in the tenth Hunger Games is the chancereturn home in despair. Daniel’s high school sweetheart, whom he left behind, has also sought refuge in Hilo, after suffering violence in Honolulu. Now everyone faces impending disaster as the enormous volcano, Mauna Loa, reawakens and demonstrates its explosive power.

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Michael Ruzicka, Office Manager, was raised in suburban Los Angeles, received a BA in Creative Writing/Poetry at UC Santa Cruz, then moved to Birmingham, AL, where he spent five years owning an independent bookstore and earned an MLIS. He has brought his librarian skills to Vanderbilt’s Television News Archive, Battle Ground Academy, The Museum of Contemporary Art-Chicago, and the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Michael is very excited to be a part of Booklist and call Chicago his home.