Before she became a household name with The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins wrote this masterclass in middle-grade fantasy. It’s faster-paced than Harry Potter and carries more emotional weight than Percy Jackson.
If you have a kid who is 'over' simple fairy tales but isn't quite ready for the bleakness of YA dystopia, this is the sweet spot. It respects the reader's intelligence, doesn't shy away from the reality of conflict, and keeps the stakes grounded in a boy's simple desire to keep his family together.




