Insignia by S.J. Kincaid

The science-fiction novel Insignia is written by S.J. Kincaid. It has some dystopian principles and explores a future which isn’t totally out of question with the way science has advanced technology. World War III is being waged throughout the solar system and is nothing like anyone could have imagined. India and the United States, the Indo-Americans, have formed an alliance against Russia and China, the Russo-Chinese alliance. To avoid the carnage and bloodshed of a traditionally fought war, the fighting has been taken to astronomical levels that are literally above and beyond. In Tom Raines’ world, little else than scrounging up enough money to eat and take shelter at hotel has mattered… until he is scouted out by the government because of his incredible gaming skills, in the form of an attractive teenage combatant, to be part of a special military project based in the Pentagonal Spire. Made the offer of a lifetime. Although his father is far from thrilled at the idea, Tom is unable to turn down the chance to be a somebody, and fight for his country, and have a shot at actually having friends. A neural processor is implanted in Tom’s brain to give him the mental flexibility and speed of a computer and the ability to control remote battleships throughout the solar system. To become an actual combatant and fight in the war, he will have to endure a few years of training and become acclimated to a new way of thinking and functioning. After a short time in training Tom hears of an enemy combatant with the call sign Medusa, supposedly unbeatable, and is instantly fixated. With computers in their brains, the combatants and trainees are prime targets for malware that could cause them to literally malfunction. Not only are they vulnerable, but Tom's father's words ".. they'll use you like equipment" continue to flash through his thoughts as he may find some things a bit off in the Pentagonal Spire.

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Lia and Cassie were wintergirls. Bonded under the moon and frozen in time. Now Cassie is dead, and leaving Lia alone. Her mom wants her to move back but Lia doesn't want to leave Emma. Dr. Parker wants her to return treatment at New Seasons and her dad wants her to cope with the loss of Cassie. Now her phone has missed calls and her weight is dropping. Can Lia keep telling herself to stay strong and empty. When the hotel calls with a message for her from Cassie will the lost wintergirl return to Lias life, but take Lia with her when she returns back to the lost life? Will Lia stay frozen, forever not gaining or losing but empty and strong?

Maus by Art Spiegelman

Maus is the compelling story of the author's father Vladek Spiegelman and his struggle as a Jewish man during the first couple years of WWII. As the name suggests it is told in a different way than most accounts. Instead of people the author makes all the characters mice and the German people are represented as cats. In addition to that it is also told in comic book form. At first Vladek has all he could ever want, a factory, a beautiful wife and a rich father-in-law. But it all changes after he is recruited into the war. When he comes back he finds his factory had been taken over by Germans and that all Jewish people were being relocated. So begins the very start of Vladek's troubles. They move around from ghetto to ghetto making black market deals and hiding with friends just to survive. Eventually, it becomes harder and harder to get what they need to live. At the end of the book Vladek, his family, and all Jewish people are forced to present paper work to the Germans. If they pass they get shipped to the ghetto Auschwitz, the book ends with Vladek meeting his family on the side heading to Auschwitz.

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

***SPOILER ALERT***
Rain hasn't come in 6 months. Red Dust Storm men on horses take Lugh. Saba and Emmi travel after burning their house with Pa in it. They leave Emmi with Mercy. Emmi follows Saba anyway. She is picked up by the Pinch family who wants to force Saba to cagefight. She talks to Helen in the nexst cell and learns more. Then, she meets Maev, who Is part of the Free Hawks.During exercise time Saba and Jack meet. Theycome up with a plan to rescue the fighters.The Hawks burn Hopetown and Saba rescues Jack. The Pinchs, cagemaster and the king follow then and crash. Saba searchesfor Lugh. Ash and Espona follow. They meet Ike and Tommo before fighting the Hellwurms. Finally, they make it to Freedom Fields and rescue Lugh. Saba kills Epona out of mercy. The characters lose Emmi.but then they kill the king and he dies for real. Ike dies so Saba, Lugh, and Emmi decide to take Tommo under their wing. They choose to head West after Jack leaves them.