The second book of Suzanne Collins’s stunning and tense “Hunger Games” trilogy continues the story of teenage Katniss, who is becoming a symbol of resistance to many in Panem (formerly the United States) since refusing to play by the rules in the government-sponsored, fight-to-the-death Hunger Games competition the year before. Katniss knows it’s only a matter of time before the government punishes her for refusing to kill or be killed. Her defiance is a dangerous quality for any citizen to possess, let alone one who has become a national hero. But Katniss, who made it out of the Hunger Games arena with her life and her conscience, is still shocked when she learns what’s now in store: She and her co-victor, Peeta, must compete again, this time against all of the champions from prior years. Once again, alliances among the players are critical to survival, but whom can Katniss trust? She doesn’t care about her own life, but Peeta’s goodness—and his potential as a leader for the resistance—are things for which she’s willing to fight—and die. Collins’s complex, action-packed, emotionally rich story is breathtaking, with a cliffhanger ending that will have readers clamoring for book three. (Age 12 and older)