The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games.
Scholastic Press. 2008.
ISBN: 9780439023481
$17.99. Hardcover. 384 pages.

Readers Annotation
To be chosen for the Hunger Games is almost certain death, and Katniss has just volunteered to compete.

Plot Summary
16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, lives in District 12 of what remains of the United States. As punishment to the remaining districts for waging war, the central government of Panem requires them to send tributes to the city. One boy and one girl, ages 12 to 17 are chosen by lottery to compete in the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are televised in all the districts and viewing is mandatory. When Katniss’ little sister Prim is chosen, Katniss takes her place. Also chosen from the district is Peeta the baker’s son. The Games are brutal and deadly. Only one contender can win, and that winner will is promised money, food and fame. Katniss who has grown up in the wild country of what was once Appalachia can hunt and kill, but she knows she is unprepared to compete against the Careers who have prepared their whole lives for the Games. Peeta is even less prepared. Yet Katniss does become a contender, and she must decide if she will keep her humanity or lose it playing the Game.

Critical Evaluation
Informed by Greek mythology, gladiator films and “Survivor,” Collin’s Hunger Games is an extraordinary novel. She has created characters that we care about despite their situation. Katniss is cold and calculating while playing the Games, yet we care about her survival and mental health. Peeta is the good guy who usually gets killed, but in this case Katniss saves them both.  Peeta values his humanity, and ultimately teaches Katniss what matters most in the games.  It isn't winning, it is not losing your humanity.  In the end, only Katniss and Peeta remain as contenders and they each refuse to kill the other.  The real villain in the story is the Central Government, who forces the districts into poverty, and then demands the deaths of their children for all to see. What could be worse for a family than to see their child murdered on camera? This is a book I had trouble putting down. It makes you wonder if, in the future, such horror could occur. Society today is watching hours of broadcast news, and reality TV shows. Lately it seems as if the two are blending together at an alarming rate. Young adults will appreciate the gritty, honest characters that inhabit this world, while comparing our existing society to the dystopian world of the Games.

Information about the author
Collins writes that she spent too much time as a child watching gladiator movies as a child. She has written for children’s television since 1991. She is currently working on the third installment of The Hunger Games trilogy. You can find out more about her at http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/index.htm.

Genre
Science Fiction, Fantasy, horror

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
Violence

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the book and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Suzanne-Collins/dp/0439023483/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260244829&sr=1-3
· Try to get reviews of the book from teens that have read it.

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss the history of the Hunger Games.
2. Talk about Katniss and Peeta and their reactions to be chosen to compete.