The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, ISBN 978-0439023481, Scholastic Press, 2008 384 pages.

Teaser: Two young people from each of the 12 districts go to the Hunger Games and fight to the death with only one survivor.

Plot Summary:  Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12 and each year two kids are chosen to participate in the Hunger Games.  The Hunger Games is a game devised by the Capitol to showcase kids fighting to the death with only one survivor winning.  Each district must watch the games on televsion.  When Katniss's sister, Prim, is chosen as a tribute, Katniss volunteers herself to go in place of Prim.  Katniss and the other tribute, Peeta Meelark are whisked away to the Capitol with their mentor, Haymitch.  They prepare for the Hunger Games and when the Hunger Games finally come they are both terrified.  During the Hunger Games they both go their separate ways and use their own strengths to go far in the game.

Critical Evaluation:  Suzanne Collins writes an excellent book and she writes very strong characters.  Katniss is the kind of hero every girl should look up to, she is strong and fearless, but human at the same time.  She feels sadness and does not like the meaning of the Hunger Games.  She only volunteered because of her love for Prim.  She wants desperately to come back to see her family one more time.  The other tribute, Peeta, is also a great character.  He does not want the games to change him.  If he is going to die, he wants to die on his own terms and be remembered for the way he was before the games.  His character brings love and common sense into the novel.  He is a great partner to Katniss.

Author Information: According to http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/bio.htm

“Since 1991, Suzanne Collins has been busy writing for children’s television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. For preschool viewers, she penned multiple stories for the Emmy-nominated Little Bear and Oswald. She also co-wrote the critically acclaimed Rankin/​Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby! Most recently she was the Head Writer for Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford’s Puppy Days. While working on a Kids WB show called Generation O! she met children’s author James Proimos, who talked her into giving children’s books a try. Thinking one day about Alice in Wonderland, she was struck by how pastoral the setting must seem to kids who, like her own, lived in urban surroundings. In New York City, you’re much more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole and, if you do, you’re not going to find a tea party. What you might find...? Well, that’s the story of Gregor the Overlander, the first book in her five-part fantasy/​war series, The Underland Chronicles.
She currently lives in Connecticut with her family and a pair of feral kittens they adopted from their backyard.”  Her Hunger Games series has sold millions of copies and the first book is currently being made into a movie that will be released in 2012."
Genre: Science Fiction
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Bootalking Ideas: Talk about why it is so important to advertise the tributes before the games.
Age Group/Interest Level: 12+
Challenge Issues: This book will most likely be challenged due to violence. 

If the book was challenged I would go to, ALA's Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials.

Why Included? I read this book in preparation for this class and absolutely loved it . I can see why it is one of the most popular books for teenagers.A great thrilling read for any teenager!