The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Young Adult Science Fiction Novel
ISBN 0439023483
374 pp.
Suitable 12+

Readers Annotation: Set in the future, the 12 districts of Panem have to give up one boy and one girl for the Hunger Games, which is a televised battle that battles to the death in an unknown area.

Plot Summary: This story is set in future North America, now called Panem. There are 13 districts; they are the Capitol and districts one through twelve. One through twelve all serve the victorious Capitol that won the civil war 74 years ago, and each year all the districts have to mark their punishment with The Hunger Games. Each year for The Hunger Games, districts one through twelve have to sacrifice one boy and one girl ages twelve through eighteen. This is done by drawing names. The story follows fatherless Katniss and a boy she knows, Peeta. When The Hunger Games begin many die in the first couple of minutes. Katniss barely escapes and is able to obtain some supplies due to Peeta letting her get away. As more players die, the rules change. Two winners can exist if they are the last two from the same district. So Katniss goes off and finds Peeta badly injured. Later, there is a "feast," where the players get a desperately needed item at a designated area. This is to lure the players into a confrontation. Will they be lured or will Katniss and Peeta team up?

Critical Evaluation: This book does a good job setting up a setting that the reader can identify with even if it is science fiction set in the future. The imagery sets the tone with an outdoor caged arena that is reminiscent of Mad Max. Instead of society furthering itself, it has taken a major step back. Themes of survival, government control, and personal independence are present throughout. The reader should fall in love with the protagonist, Katniss. Knowing her backstory, her circumstances, the reader can't help but root for her in hopes that she prevails or that the inhumane government crumbles. The reader understand through her actions, her dialogue, and descriptions what she is all about. The fights are also detailed and at times, graphic. In order to incorporate all these components, its no wonder that the book is quite long and it still doesn't wrap it up in the end; there is room for a sequel and this is a three part series.

Author: Suzanne Collins is an American television writer and author. She has written for many Nickelodeon TV shows such as Clarissa Explains It All. She has also written quite a few children's books, most notably, The Underland Chronicles. She has also written for her teen audience, most notably, The Hunger Games series. The first book in the series has been on the New York Times bestseller list for over 60 weeks in a row.

In regards to her personal life, she is the daughter of an air-force officer. She got her M.F.A. from NYU in dramatic writing. She now lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children. It has also been announced that The Hunger Games will be produced into a movie.

Booktalking Ideas:
1) Fighting
2) Survival
3) Romance
4) Betrayal
5) Future
6) Inhumane society

Challenge Issues: There are no challenge issues present in this novel.

Why Included: A librarian I know recommended this book to me when I told them of my project. I read it and am satisfied but with its long length I will have to allow for more time to read the sequels.