The Hunger Games

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic: 2008. ISBN: 9780439023528.

Plot Summary:
Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12 in the Seam. Her father was killed in a mining accident when she was eleven and Katniss has been the only source of provision for her mother and younger sister, Prim. District 12 is one of the poorer districts in Panem, a country controlled by the Capitol. The Capitol keeps the districts in line by fear and intimidation. The biggest ploy is the Hunger Games, a yearly ritual that is mandated by the Capitol. Each district must send two tributes, one boy and one girl, between the ages of twelve and eighteen. The winner brings needed food and pride back to their district. The point of the games? To be the sole survivor. Only one tribute can win and they are required to kill each other to reach that point. Katniss' twelve year old sister, Prim is chosen for the games and Katniss volunteers to take her place. A boy named Peeta who has feelings for Katniss is chosen as well. Katniss and Peeta are immediately whisked off to the Capitol to prepare for the games. The Capitol is a foreign world compared to District 12, different food, strange accents and children killing each other for sport is entertainment.

Critical Evaluation:
This book is a masterpiece. Told in first person, we always know what Katniss is thinking and doing. Her perceptions are not neutral, but she is basically a reliable narrator. Suzanne Collins gives Katniss a humanity and depth of character that is rare in today's novels. The chapters dealing with Rue and her murder show us the depth of the Capitol's inhumanity by highlighting Katniss' humanity. In the middle of all the stress and horror, the author still let's us glimpse the sixteen year old girl who can't figure out how she feels about a boy. The normalcy transposed with the brutality is an effective plot device. The world of Panem is fictional, but not completely unrealistic, this basis in partial realty is surreal and a great springboard for discussions. Could a government actually be so cruel to it's citizens? Unfortunately we just need to look back in history to see the answer.

Reader's Annotation:
Katniss struggles each day to find food to keep her family alive. In the games she must fight each day to keep herself alive while depriving the other tributes of that luxury.

Information About the Author:
Suzanne Collins began her writing career writing for children's television programs like Clarissa Explains It All and Little Bear. Her first published fiction was Gregor the Overlander. The five book series titled, The Underland Chronicles, was based on the idea of Alice in Wonderland.
Suzanne is forty-seven years old and lives in Connecticut with her husband. She was on the list of Time Magazines most influential people of 2010. A little know fact is that Suzanne has written a picture book, When Charlie McButton Lost Power.

Genre:
Science Fiction/Dystopia

Curriculum Ties:
War
Loyalty
Morality

Booktalking Ideas:
Could you take part in a rebellion against the government? If so under what circumstances.
Could you withhold important information from someone you love?


Reading Level/Interest Age:
7th +

Challenge Issues:
Violence

To be prepared for a book challenge you must read the book! And encourage all involved in the process to read the book, not just the questionable passages.
Make sure the institution's procedure is followed, this is a protection for all.
ALA provides written guidelines it would be handy to have a hard copy available.

Why Include This Book?
I loved the Underland Chronicles. This book brings up important topics that are of interest to teens.