Review #9: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games.  Scholastic Press. 2008. 374 pages. ISBN 978-0-545-31058-1

Genre: Fiction/Science Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Level: Young Adult
Awards: ALA Notable Children’s Books 2009
Series: The Hunger Games
       ·         Book 1 : The Hunger Games
       ·         Book 2: Catching Fire
       ·         Book 3: Mocking Jay
Similar Titles: Breathe by Sarah Crossan,  Ashfall by Mike Mullin, Solarbabies [DVD] by Metro-Goldwin-Mayer

 

After the great war, the United States became the 12 districts of Panem. Each district is strictly controlled and rationed, has distinct boundaries and functions and there is no travel between them, that is unless you are an official or solider of the Capitol or a tribute in the Hunger Games.

 Every year, in order to maintain control and remind the nation of their power and the defeat of the districts during the war, the Capitol requires that each district supply 2 tributes, one girl and one boy, 12 or older, to fight to the death in the brutal and gruesome Hunger Games. 24 go into the arena and only one comes out as they fight their way through genetically modified beasts, unpredictable conditions and deadly opponents. In order to save her little sister from this fate, Katniss Everdeen, volunteers to take her place.

Skilled in basic survival and bow hunting, though such skills are strictly forbidden, Katniss goes on to surpass even her wildest expectations as she becomes known as “The Girl on Fire.” Can she go on to learn all the skills she needs to survive? Can Katniss outsmart the other tributes, become likeable and gain the support of the sponsors who can keep her alive? What will she do about the growing attachment between herself and her fellow tribute, Peeta? Is it real and how does it affect her relationships back home? Can she thumb her nose at the Capitol while still protecting her family? No matter what she does, she will undoubtedly change history.

The Hunger Games  is the first volume of the wildly popular series and motion picture of the same name. With a theme of dystopian society and the topics of starvation, survival, brutality, violence, protestation, death, love, loyalty and tyranny explored, this series is most appropriate for young and older adults, though many tween readers have ventured through its pages, in large part due to the popularity and press received by the books and film. It is advised that younger readers discuss the content with adults so that they can better understand the topics and the reasons for the content and behavior of the characters. With the right guidance, The Hunger Games can be a very educational tool when compared to World History. For older readers, they’ll simply be unable to put it down.