Collins, Suzanna. The Hunger Games. New York:  Scholastic Press. 2008.  ISBN 9780439023481

AWARDS:

Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 2008: Children’s Fiction.

New York Times Notable Children's Book Of  2008.

An American Library Association
Top Ten Best Books For Young Adults Selection

An ALA Notable Children’s Book

Indies Choice--Best Indie Young Adult Buzz Book Honor

2008 Cybil Award--Fantasy & Science Fiction

2009 Children's Choice Book Award

YALSA'S Teens' Top Ten, 2009

A Kirkus Best Book Of 2008

School Library Journal Best Books Of 2008

A Booklist Editors' Choice, 2008

Barnes & Noble Best Books Of 2008:  For Teens And Kids

Amazon Best Books Of 2008

SUMMARY:

Katniss, her mother, and her 12 year old sister live in a futuristic society.  Katniss’ days are spent hunting and providing food for her family.  Every year their society has an event called the Hunger Games.  Names of all society members age 12-18 are put into a drawing.  Two teenagers from each district are chosen. Those names chosen are to participate in the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are a televised fight to the death between the participants.  The lone survivor is allowed to live the rest of their lives with all the amenities they need at their disposal.   

Katniss’s sister Prim is chosen, but Katniss volunteers to take her place.  Another boy Peeta is also chosen.  He is in love with Katniss, but she is clueless.  They fight until there are three participants left alive.  The Capitol decides that if two people from the same district are the last two alive, they will both be declared winners.  Katniss and Peeta are victorious, but Katniss’ feelings for Peeta remain unclear.  Was it all an act so that they could both survive the game, or does she really love him?

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:  Katniss is an extraordinary female protagonist.  Humble, clever, intelligent, resourceful, independent, and brave, are all characteristics she possesses.  When her little sister Prim is chosen for the Hunger Games, Katniss doesn’t even consider any other possibility, but to go in her place. Told from Katniss’ perspective, we marvel at her ability to outsmart those around her.  Her character is well developed and we root for her survival. 

Peeta, who saves Katniss’ life and is also in love with her, is also an endearing character.  They help each other survive and never lose sight that human life is  precious even though the circumstances they are forced into,  show them otherwise. 

Katniss’ mother is never really anything but a burden.  After her husband dies, she goes into a depression, and Katniss is forced to take care of the family.  Prim, the little sister, is not developed as a character, but we feel sympathy for her as well as Katniss’ need to protect her.

The plot is suspenseful.  Children fighting each other to the death is violent and  hard to read at times, but the story has great emotional appeal as well.  You know she will win the games, but finding out how she accomplishes victory is great reading.

The setting is a futuristic society where the capital of the country has made all the districts sacrifice two 12-18 year olds in a fight to the death with the other districts’ children.  The setting is believable, and the evil corrupt government is easy to despise.  The leaders of the game constantly play puppet master as they manipulate the game to make it more interesting for the audience. 

I loved this book and would recommend it for grades 6-12, as well as adults.  The violence, as well length of the book, might make it inappropriate for younger students.

REVIEWS: 

School Library Journal Review:

“Grade 7 Up -In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like 'Survivor' and 'American Gladiator.' Book one of a planned trilogy.”

Booklist Review:

“*Starred Review* This is a grand-opening salvo in a new series by the author of the Underland Chronicles. Sixteen-year-old Katniss poaches food for her widowed mother and little sister from the forest outside the legal perimeter of District 12, the poorest of the dozen districts constituting Panem, the North American dystopic state that has replaced the U.S. in the not-too-distant future. Her hunting and tracking skills serve her well when she is then cast into the nation’s annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death where contestants must battle harsh terrain, artificially concocted weather conditions, and two teenaged contestants from each of Panem’s districts. District 12’s second “tribute” is Peeta, the baker’s son, who has been in love with Katniss since he was five. Each new plot twist ratchets up the tension, moving the story forward and keeping the reader on edge. Although Katniss may be skilled with a bow and arrow and adept at analyzing her opponents’ next moves, she has much to learn about personal sentiments, especially her own. Populated by three-dimensional characters, this is a superb tale of physical adventure, political suspense, and romance. Grades 9-12.”

RESOURCES:

Suzanne Collins website.

http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Good Reads website.

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/153394.Suzanne_Collins