18. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Collins, Suzanne. (2008). Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN-13: 978-0-439-02348-1, p. 374

Genre: Action/Adventure
Interest Age: 13+
Curriculum: Literature

Reader’s Annotation

In a dystopian future, teens are forced to fight for their lives in the violent, televised arena of The Hunger Games.

Plot Summary

In the future, North America has become the new nation of Panem. Panem, ruled by the Capitol, is divided into districts which once a year are forced to choose two tributes between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal competition where these young tributes are forced to fight to the death. In the impoverished District 12, Katniss, a precocious 16-year-old, and Peeta, a quiet baker’s son, are chosen to be this year’s tributes. They must face off against not only the older, deadlier tributes from the more wealthy districts, but they must also eventually face on another, for only one can remain standing at the end of the Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games test the tributes strengthen, cunning, and will to survive. In order to survive Katniss must become something which she is not, a killer. Can her skills and talents keep her alive? Can she survive the Games and not lose her humanity?

Critical Review

Suzanne Collins crafts a fast paced, action pact story which interweaves moments of brutal violence with tender scenes of romance and sacrifice. Our heroine Katniss, is far from an angelic protagonist; she selflessly sacrifices herself to save her younger sister Primm from the Games but she also is not above being emotionally manipulative in order to survive; she is a skilled hunter whose heart belongs to friend Gale but she plays a dangerous emotional game with her fellow District 12 tribute Peeta, whose professed love of Katniss may or may not be just a strategy to survive the Games.

Collin’s greatest success is the creation of a rich, detailed world in which these characters exist. The history of Panem is only briefly described and alluded to but is detailed enough for the reader to feel that this world is already old and full of history. Collin’s descriptions of the impoverished District 12 to the opulent Capitol create the image of diverse, intricate society. The Games themselves are anything but simple. They have the feel of a futuristic gladiator match filled with pomp and opulence as well as brutal competition and violence. The reader sees everything through Katniss’s eyes which is mixed with feelings of fear and wonder.

Once the Games start, the reader is barely allowed to rest. Confrontations often occur without warning and are intense. Katniss must face not only individuals like herself, who are randomly selected, but also Careers, who are bred and trained to be champions of the Games. The violence is balanced out by Kat niss’s conflicting desire to survive yet not to be a tool of the Capitol and The Games.

The Hunger Games is the first in a trilogy and even though it works wonderfully as a self contained story, Collin’s definitely has created a world and a set of characters which are complex, engaging and leave the reader wanting more.

Author Info

Suzanne Collins is the author of several Sci-Fi and Fantasy YA novels as well as extensive writing work in children’s television. Suzanne Collins grew up “all over the world” as the daughter of a military man. She found early professional success as a writer for such television shows as the Emmy nominated show Clarissa Explains It All, The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo, and the critically acclaimed Rankin/Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby!.

She is also the author of the widely popular, five-part fantasy/war series, the Underland Chronicles as well as the Hunger Games Trilogy, the final book, Mockingjay is set to be released in the summer of 2010. The inspiration for The Hunger Games came from the Myth of Theseus as well as the fascination with Reality TV.

"An interview with Suzanne Collins." Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy 52.8 (2009): 726+. Literature Resource Center. Web. 16 May 2010.

“Biography”. Retrieved May 16, 2010 from http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/bio.htm

Book Talking Ideas

1. What is the purpose of the Hunger Games? What are the various stages which the tributes participate in?
2. What is the Myth of Theseus? How is it similar to The Hunger Games?
3. How are The Hunger Games are similar to the gladiator matches of ancient Rome? To today’s Reality TV?

Challenges

There have been no high profile challenges as of yet. The book does have a fair amount of violence (although there is little explicit blood and gore) and the central plot is teens violently killing each other, which can be offense.

Why I choose this title

It is one of the most popular YA books in the last few years. The book is perfect for reluctant readers: it has an easy to follow plot but is fully of depth, social commentary, and complex characters.