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Teen Book Spotlight--Games, Puzzles, and Mazes (oh my!!!)

Our teen book spotlight this week is on books that feature games (video, virtual, board, and so on), mazes, and puzzles because it is International Gaming Week!!!  I love games and puzzles because there are so many choices, you can complete them either with others or by yourself, and there is always a bit of challenge that makes the victory that much sweeter.  The titles we have this week will inspire you to take on some sort of gaming this week or you can just feel free to read about others and their gaming adventures.  These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search tag #yagaming as well as on Libby and Hoopla.  Check back next week for a new teen book spotlight and if you have any book suggestions, please let us know!!

The Eye of Minds by James Dashner--In the future video games are played on the VirtNet, a virtual world which offers fully integrated mind and body immersion. Michael is a gamer and also a hacker--because it is more fun to break the game world's rules. When another hacker finds a way to hold people hostage inside the VirtNet, while their bodies slowly die in the real world, the government hires Michael to become their counter-hacker and figure out the hostage-taker's motives. However, to do that Michael will have to go off the VirtNet grid into a confusing maze of virtual underworlds, where the mind makes the body vulnerable.

Panic by Lauren Oliver--In the poor town of Carp, New York, a group of graduating seniors enters a high-stakes game called "Panic" that involves a series of secretive, possibly deadly challenges throughout the summer, with the winner receiving more than $50,000--enough money to start a new life.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner--When Thomas wakes up in a freight elevator with no memories other than knowledge of his first name, he is understandably perplexed. The situation becomes even stranger, however, when Thomas finds himself deposited in a large, open expanse known as the Glade. The Glade's 60 residents – all boys – quickly get Thomas up to speed, revealing that none of them have any memories and that a new boy shows up every 30 days. When a girl suddenly arrives the next day, however, the message she carries completely transforms everything for the boys, and especially for Thomas, who may be more important than he realizes.

For the Win by Cory Doctorow--In a near-future world, teens from around the globe participate in online role-playing games to farm virtual gold -- earning a meager income and tolerating abuse at the hands of their oppressive leaders. A mysterious individual named Big Sister Nor corrals stand-out teens -- such as 15-year-old Mala, aka General Robotwalla, from rural India and rebellious Californian Matthew -- in her efforts to unionize the network of gamers, reveal the harsh conditions they endure, and bring the virtual world to an abrupt halt.

The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher--Deep within the woods, Damon and his girlfriend Ashlee spend the night partying and playing the Game. The next morning, Ashlee is dead—and being carried out of the forest by their friend Emily's father, a war veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and dangerous flashbacks. In alternating chapters, Damon and Emily search for answers as they attempt to figure out what really happened to Ashlee and whether Emily's father is responsible for her death. In the process, the chilling reality of the Game is revealed, and the repercussions of that night become apparent for all.

The Game of Sunken Places by M.T. Anderson--Best friends Gregory and Brian pay a visit to Gregory's eccentric uncle, Max. When they arrive at Max's remote mansion, the uncle discards their belongings and dresses them up in costumes from the 1800's. The friend's puzzlement deepens when they discover a magical board game that brings them face-to-face with evil trolls and ogres.