Collins, S. (2010). The
Hunger Games. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.
ISBN-13: 978-0439023528
Genre: Action, Dystopia
Reading level/
interest age: 15+
Plot summary:
Katniss Everdeen lives in a dystopian society divided into
twelve districts in an attempt to keep the peace. Every year, two children are
chosen from each district to serve as tributes in the Hunger Games. Children’s
names are drawn during a ceremony once per year and families often ask children
to enter their names in numerous times to receive additional food rations.
Katniss is shocked when her sister, Primrose, is chosen and
decides to volunteer in her place. Katniss leaves shortly afterwards with her fellow
tribute, Peeta, on a train for the capitol. Together, they learn about the
other competitors and win friends while trying to obtain the skills to make it
out as the sole victor.
Once the games begin, Katniss struggles to stay alive and
away from the other tributes. Competitors are picked off as the days go by and
Katniss realizes the importance of having allies. Peeta saves Katniss from
certain death but is injured in the process. They decide to team up and become
friends. However, with only one winner, are Peeta and Katniss doomed or can
they both find a way to make it out alive?
Reader’s annotation:
Katniss and Peeta are competitors in a game where only one
can come out alive. Will their love be enough to save them both?
Information about the
author:
“In 1991, Suzanne Collins began her professional career
writing for children’s television. She worked on the staffs of several
Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains it All
and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. For preschool viewers, she penned multiple
stories for the Emmy-nominated Little Bear and Oswald. She also co-wrote the
Rankin/Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby! with her friend, Peter Bakalian,
which was nominated for a WGA Award in Animation. Most recently she was the
Head Writer for Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford’s Puppy Days, and a
freelancer on Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! While working on a Kids WB show called
Generation O! she met children’s author and illustrator James Proimos, who
talked her into giving children’s books a try.
“…The Hunger Games has spent over 300 consecutive weeks to
date on The New York Times bestseller list since publication in September 2008,
and has also appeared consistently on USA Today and Publishers Weekly
bestseller lists. It has been sold into 56 territories in 51 languages. In 2010
Collins was named to the TIME 100 list as well as the Entertainment Weekly
Entertainers of the Year list.
“Lionsgate released a film adaptation of THE HUNGER GAMES on
March 23, 2012, directed by Gary Ross who also shared screenplay credit with
Suzanne and Billy Ray. It broke multiple box office records and went on to
become the 14th highest-grossing North American release of all time on its way
to generating nearly $700 million at the worldwide box office. Lionsgate will
release the second installment THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE worldwide on
November 22, 2013 bringing back stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam
Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci
and Lenny Kravitz along with new cast members Philip Seymour Hoffman, Sam
Claflin, Jena Malone and Jeffrey Wright. The film is directed by Francis
Lawrence, from a screenplay by Simon Beaufoy and Michael DeBruyn. Lionsgate
will release THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1 on November 21, 2014 and THE
HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 on November 20, 2015, also directed by
Lawrence. All four films are being produced by Nina Jacobson of Color Force and
Jon Kilik” (Collins, 2013).
Curriculum ties: N/A
Booktalking ideas:
1.
Which of the characters would you choose to be
allies with?
2.
Would you volunteer in the place of one of your
siblings?
Critical evaluation:
Written from first-person perspective, Katniss’ inner
thoughts sometimes ramble and become repetitive. However, the story is
interesting and refreshingly original. Katniss is also not infatuated with
Peeta which is a nice break from young adult novels’ tradition of love
triangles. Despite containing scenes of murder, the book is actually uplifting.
Katniss’ volunteering to do the games in place of her sister is an amazing show
of sibling love and family ties. Katniss is almost too kind hearted with her
assistance of Rue and Peeta within the games. The book depicts extreme poverty
but the overall theme is kindness towards one another that help the human race
prevail.
One issue with the book is the overselling of certain
elements. Poverty, the victimization of children in the society, war, and greed
are all depicted in excess. As the book contains so many different, clashing
elements, it is sometimes hard to follow and understand why these are contained
within the book.
Challenge issues:
·
Murder
·
Violence
Defensive Maneuvers:
·
Have the library’s collection development policy
memorized and on hand in case a situation arises.
·
Keep positive reviews on hand to refer to or
hand out when needed.
·
If the book has won any awards, mention them to
the patron and briefly explain the award.
·
Listen to the patron and practice good customer
service skills when communicating. Let the customer know where or if he/she can
escalate his/her complaint.
·
When necessary, cite sections of the ALA’s Library
Bill of Rights or refer to the ALA's
Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials.
Why included:
The Hunger Games
is a widely popular series that could appeal to both male and female readers.
The story is fast paced and an interesting dystopian view of society.
Reference:
Collins, S. (2013). Biography.
Retrieved August 22, 2014 from
http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/bio.htm
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