Category: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher/Year: Scholastic / 2008
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Awards:
- Publishers Weekly's "Best Books of the Year" (2008)
- The New York Times "Notable Children's Book of 2008"
- Golden Duck Award in Young Adult Fiction (2009)
- "2008" Cybil Winner" for fantasy and science fiction
- School Library Journal's "Best Books 2008"
- "Booklist Editors' Choice" in 2008
- California Young Adult Reader Medal (2011)
Pages: 384pp
Summary:
North America lies in ruins and in its place is a country called Panem. A country divided into 12 districts. The Capitol is rich and powerful and lies within the Rocky Mountains. They rule the country with a tight fist and require each district to send a boy and girl to compete in an annual survivalist competition called the Hunger Games. The Capitol takes great amusement watching this entirely televised event while the rest of the country is forced to watch their child contenders die, reminding them that rebellion is forbidden. The Capitol also reminds them of an abolished District 13 which did not submit and follow rules.
The main character, Katniss, is a survivor by nature. She lives in the poorest district 12 and takes care of her little sister and mother after her father was killed in a coal mining accident. She sneaks outside the district to hunt illegally wit her friend, Gale, so she and her family will not starve to death.
When the lottery is drawn to send 2 children to The Games her younger sister's name is drawn. Katniss steps up in place of her sister, knowing only two people have ever come back to District 12 alive and a winner in the 75 years of The Games.
As she is prepped and primped for the televised event she discovers the boy from her district, Peeta, is in love with her and it is nationally broadcasted. She must play this "role" to win sponsors during the game that will send her much needed items. A rule change is made during the game that two people can be winners if they are from the same district. Katniss quickly finds Peeta and nurses him back to health. They must win the competition together or die trying.
Comments: This was a great book and hard to put down! It seemed so unrealistic and crude when I simply read the summary on the back cover but the characters, their actions, and the environment are carefully detailed and leave you wanting to read more.
Classroom Application:
Lexile: 810L
Age: 12-18 years old
This would be a great book to generate discussion about:
- the value of human life
- government control
- reality television
- the Greek mythology which this plot is loosely based upon
- the fights/deaths that occurred within the Roman Colosseum
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