Bibliographic Info
Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-439-02348-1
Plot Summary
Katniss Eberdeen is 16 and the main breadwinner in her family. Her father was killed in a mine blast. Her mother withdrew from life, from her two children. Since she was 12, it’s been on Katniss’ shoulders to take care of her family in a world where starvation is commonplace. In order to keep her family fed, she must sneak under the sometimes electrified district fence to hunt and forage for food. It’s a hard life, but on the day of the reaping, the weight of supporting a family is the least of Katniss’ concerns.
The people of District 12 are required to stand in the town square as two tributes are drawn to represent them in the hunger games – an annual reminder of the uprisings of 74 years ago that led to the eradication of District 13. Now each year two children between ages 12 and 18 are chosen from all 12 districts for the games, where they must fight each other to the death. There can be only one winner.
At the moment when the town gathers waiting for the first name to be called, Katniss’ only thoughts are that she can’t be called. She has to take care of her family. Her shock at the sound of her little sister’s name being called is only paralyzing for a moment. Then she volunteers to take her sister’s place. Katniss will compete in the hunger games. For the sake of her family, she has to win.
Critical Evaluation
The Hunger Games takes place in a world that seems entirely possible, almost recognizable. The people of the capital enjoy a pampered and frivolous lifestyle, which is possible because of the various districts’ labor. The characters in the story are built according to their particular level of deprivation, and respective of their personalities. The action is a relentless engine that moves the story. The combination of these elements is a provocative, suspenseful, and exciting story that will keep readers glued to the book.
Reader’s Annotation
Welcome to the 74th hunger games! For the ghastly entertainment of the ruling class, and the perpetual subjugation of the masses, two dozen children, including the beloved heroine of the story will murder each other before the ever-watching cameras.
Author Info
Suzanne Collins was born in New Jersey on November 21st, 1947. She was the child of a military officer. She earned her MFA in Dramatic Writing from New York University.
Collins began her writing career as a children’s television writer. She wrote for Little Bear, Oswald, and Clarissa Explains It All among other shows. She wrote a five-book series called the Underland Chronicles that were inspired by Alice in Wonderland, but instead of falling down a rabbit hole, the concept questioned what would happen if one fell down a manhole. The Hunger Games is a planned trilogy, with the final book, Mocking Jay set to come out in August 2010. The books were inspired by a Greek myth.
Collins currently lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children.
Collins, S. (n.d.). Suzanne Collins. Retrieved April 14, 2010, from http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/index.htm
Genre
Science Fiction
Curriculum Ties
Social Studies, especially oppressive government structures
Greek Mythology
Book Talking Ideas
Imagine that you are dropped into a stadium with 23 other kids who were all desperate to kill you. What’s your first move?
Discuss: Introduce the living conditions in Panem. How do you feel about the U.S. outsourcing work to less developed countries? Is it similar to the structure in the story?
Reading Level
12+
Challenge Issues
Violence
Challenge Responses
Active listening
Refer to library’s collection policy
Provide complaint form
Refer to book reviews
Selection
Assigned
