The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
Collins, Suzanne, 2008.
The Hunger Games.
New York: Scholastic Press.
384 pages, hardcover.
$16.00

ISBN 9780439023481.

Format: book
Rating: 5.0/5.0 stars

Plot Summary
Katniss Everdeen is living in what remains of the United States in district 12, formerly the Appalachia region known for their production of coal. As punishment for having waged war against the Capitol, each year every district must send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 into The Hungers Games, a televised hunt to the death where there can only be one winner and ever year, the tributes, the environment, and the rules can change.

Controlled by the Capitol, Katniss and her life-long friend Gale illegally hunt in order to put meat on the table or trade it for other necessary goods. Since the district controls that amount of food and fuel they receive, Katniss is forced to submit her name into the lottery each time she has additional needs.

On the day of the reaping, Katniss half expects her name to be drawn. In a bizarre twist of fate, her younger sister Primrose is chosen as the tribute. But, before anyone moves – Katniss steps forward to take her place, the newest tribute for district 12 and accepts that instead of hunting animals, she will do whatever it takes to survive.

Critical Evaluation
For children and young adult readers, with much less to compare with, more of the story elements are taken at face value. Even the names of our two main characters feel original in one sense, but somewhat predictable: Katniss, like a feline capable of getting out of many risky situations and Peeta, as the son of a baker. A bit odd, yet it works. I do fully appreciate the way Collins’ developed both main characters. Katniss, so readers see that she is strong, shares minimal emotions so that she seems cold and calculating, yet appeals to readers at the same time for her genuine feelings that make her much more personable. Readers see from the beginning that Peeta will not sell his soul to win this event, as staying true is more honorable, so he’d rather die than become something evil. The contrast between them sustains this theme, and their relationship.

For adult readers it is more difficult to suspend reality and just accept the sometimes lazy feel that author chose to take. Less evident in her first two books in the trilogy: The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. One example is Collins’ use of Prim, when the odds were so slim that she’d be selected – she had only one chance as compared to Katniss, who had twenty so she could obtain additional food and fuel for her family, increasing her odds each time. This does allow readers to quickly see how important family is to Katniss.

The juxtaposition between having tributes selected in a lottery and those who are career tributes adds greater contrast. For those training their entire lives, there is a pride at representing their district – and an almost unrealistic expectation that they will win and reap the rewards. Combining career tributes and forming groups once in the arena, the weakest tributes can be eliminated more quickly while softening the idea of having just killed another human being.

Collins’ use of first person controls the amount of information readers see, which matches that of Katniss. This keeps readers in a constant state of suspense like she is, making the reading that much more addicting, as the amount of information is so controlled and limited. Although, readers seem more able to predict than Katniss – especially when it comes to Peeta. Collins’ use of Peeta allows readers to see a kinder side of Katniss – one that lets her guard down, one that needs rescuing on several occasions, one that sees his humanity right from the beginning, and discovers his commitment to her having because he’s had a crush on her most of their lives.

Reader’s Annotation
The Hunger Games is an annual event where each district must send one boy and one girl in a televised battle to the death. In district 12, the poorest district of Panem where 16-year-old Katniss lives, the lottery draws out Prim’s name, Katniss’s 12-year-old sister. Before Prim moves, Katniss, who has been protecting and illegally hunting small animals to keep her mom and sister fed for years, steps up to take her place.

Information About the Author
Suzanne Collins was born in 1962 in Connecticut, where she still resides today with her family.

Collins’ writing career took off in 1991 when she started writing for children’s television. She wrote for varied age ranges contributing to pre-school shows Little Bear and Oswald to older kids shows such as Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. Meeting and a discussion with author James Proimos convinced Suzanne to try and write a children’s book. Her first efforts was the story of Gregor the Overlander, based upon the idea of falling down a manhole in New York City and was the first in a five-part fantasy series.

(Collins, 2010)

Genre

Fiction: Science Fiction – utopia/dystopia

Read-Alikes
Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Curriculum Ties
Within the social sciences The Hunger Games supports a study on government and control, geography of America, and both psychology and sociology for the behaviors of participants and viewers of the games. For advanced English classes, students could analyze and compare it to Greek mythology and their use of power and control to rule the world, as well as her character development.

Booktalking Ideas
1) when Katniss steps forward to replace her younger sister Prim at the reaping
2) Katniss and Peeta aflame in opening ceremonies to honor District #12

Book Trailer Links
Book Trailer by the Publisher
Book Trailer by Readers

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 7 and up / Ages 12 and up

Challenge Issues
alcoholism, violence, murder, kids hunting kids, big brother, televised games of murder, government control, rebel against government

First, I would share some of the recommendations used as part of the selection process, including reviews from resources as noted below. Next, I would point out the value in allowing these types of materials to be optional reading as teens grow ever closer to adulthood and making their own decisions. Finally, following our school district’s policy #KEC, after explaining that our school district’s philosophy is that no parent or group of parents has the right to determine the reading matter for children other than their own, I would refer the parent or community member to the building principal, so that he/she can file a written complaint to begin the process of review.

Awards
ALA Notable Children’s Book for Older Readers, 2009
ALA Teens’ Top Ten, 2009
ALA’s Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, 2009
#1 New York Times Bestseller
New York Times Notable Children’s Books, 2008
Horn Book Fanfare Best Book, 2008
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, 2008
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, 2008
Booklist Editors' Choice, 2008
New York Times Notable Book, 2008
Kirkus Best Book, 2008
California Young Reader Medal, 2011

Why Title Included & Selection Tools
This is just the kind of action-packed thriller that even the most reluctant readers are willing to read. Having seen so many of their peers reading them and discussing them, a group of struggling readers asked to have it read to them. The teacher began and within just a few chapters, each student decided to continue on their own - some not wanting to wait for future chapters. It is the most read book in our high school.

School Library Journal, Publisher's Weekly, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, New York Times, USA Today, Time Magazine