Collins, Suzanne. (2008). The Hunger Games. New York : Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780439023481.
Plot Summary
It is time for the annual reaping where two children from each of the twelve districts of Panem are chosen to compete in the annual Hunger Games. The Games are an annual event thrown by the leaders of the Capitol in which the 24 contestants fight to the death with only one winner being crowned. It is the Capitol's way of maintaining control over a land torn apart by war. Katniss Everdeen volunteer's to take her little sister, Prim's, place believing that she may have a chance to win and save her family from the poverty they have grown to know. The other contestant from her district, Peeta, is chosen and they must prepare to enter the arena. Katniss and Peeta are sponsored by a past winner named Haymitch who is a horrible drunk, but he is all they have and must learn to listen to what he knows about surviving the Hunger Games. The pair are fitted in outfits by a glamour team and taught how to use weapons and acquire survival techniques before entering the arena. Before entering the arena Peeta does something bold by telling Katniss he has feeling for her which changes the game. Katniss holds a memory from childhood where Peeta once gave her some bread after his mother caught her rummaging through the garbage. She feels like she owes him for not letting her and her family starve that day. But only one person ever comes out of the Hunger Games alive. How can she kill Peeta without feeling guilty? If she doesn't kill him he may kill her. What will that do to Prim and her mother? It is too late to think about all of that because soon they are standing on their platforms with the horn about to blow signaling the start of the 74th Annual Hunger Games.
Critical Evaluation
The Hunger Games, book one in the series, biggest controversy is its violence. Children killing children is not the ideal book idea in most parents' eyes. The violence is only the basis of what the book is really about. Themes run throughout about family values, community, love, and trust. The reader will begin to question how a government can use this type of entertainment to control its citizens. Comparisons can made about how society uses reality television and consumerism as a way to entertain. The actual Games are about survival and what the characters are really capable of. Do they kill for the sake of killing, or do they kill only as a last resort? Why do they make certain alliances when only one of them can survive? This book is full of action and suspense. The main characters are so well-rounded that the reader wants to root for all of them to survive. They are forced to kill each other, but doesn't mean they want or have to. The Hunger Games is sure to come up against challengers, but it is an exciting and amazing book and series.
Reader's Annotation
The rulers of Panem control twelve districts by televising an annual reality competition called The Hunger Games. Two young people from each district are chosen to enter an arena and fight to the death. Only one will make it out alive. Will it be Katniss Everdeen?
About the Author
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.
Collins lives in Connecticut with her family.
Genre
Hard Science Fiction, Series, Post-Apocalypse
Curriculum Ties
Sociology
Booktalking Ideas
1) Discuss which reality shows today remind you of The Hunger Games.
2) Do you think such a game could be possible in the future?
3) Would you be willing to take the place of a loved one if they were chosen to go to the Games?
4) Discuss the relationship between Katniss and Peeta? Is it real or fake?
Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 14+
Challenge Issues
Child on child violence
Challenge defense ideas
-Become familiar with the book and its content.
-Refer to the collection development policy of the library, see http://sfpl.org/pdf/about/policies/collection-development-plan.pdf
-Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Book-1/dp/0439023521/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292472098&sr=1-1
-Try to get reviews of the book from teens who have read it.
Why Included in Titles Selected
It was recommended by a friend along with being required reading for the course.
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