Legend by Marie Lu

A New York Times bestseller!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0142422076/ref=nosim?tag=beyondwordsle-20

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

Length and Age Level: Reading level grade 6; interest level grades 6-9.  Good readers in the sixth grade can manage it, but generally this is a book that is read by grades 7-9.  This book is 352 pages, and it needs some time to read and comprehend.  The average 8^th-grader will take 6-8 hours to read it. The test takes 30 minutes or less.   

Maturity and Political Issues: Like most other dystopian novels, the setting is a grim and totalitarian future society.  There is an artificially-introduced virus, and more than one character is murdered.  The scenes are not graphically described, and there are no sexual scenes. Both of the main characters have a fierce and protective love for their families. 

Additional Considerations: This is a self-contained story, but there are two more books featuring the same main characters that take place after this book ends.   The books are called Prodigy and Champion, and all three make up the Legend Trilogy.