Module 8: Fantasy and Science Fiction

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Collins, S. (2008). The hunger games. New York: Scholastic Press.

Summary:

Set in the future, The Hunger Games is a science fiction novel about Katniss, a sixteen year old girl who has been selected to participate in her country Panem's annual "hunger games". Years ago the 13 districts of Panem revolted against the control of the Capitol. The 13th district was destroyed and the remaining districts were forced back into submission. As punishment for their rebellion, the Capitol selects a boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18 from each of the twelve districts to compete to the death in the annual hunger games. These survival games are watched by the whole population and used as a sadistic reminder by the Capitol of the consequences of dissent. Like all of the 24 competitors, Katniss' goal is to come out alive, as the winner. Her struggle for survival forces Katniss to learn more about herself and her inner strengths and only serves to increase her resentment of the power of the Capitol.

My Thoughts

Collins does an incredible job portraying both the inner and outward struggles Katniss faces as she seeks to the be the sole survivor of the games. The reader is kept on the edge of their seat as they follows the twists and turns of this fast paced and engaging plot. Katniss as a character is both complex and easy to relate to, and the reader is easily drawn into cheering for her and encouraging her throughout the games. I absolutely loved this book and think it may be one of the best books I have read this year. I read it in a day because I simply could not put it down and I think most readers will have a similar experience. This book would be a great addition to a focus on books about dystopias. It is such an excellent example of the warping of power and totalitarian governments. I think it would be interesting to compare to books like The Giver or Welcome to the Monkey House (although that is for older audiences).

Review

Gr 7 Up --Suzanne Collins's first book (Scholastic, 2008) of a planned trilogy introduces an easy-to-imagine, cruel future society divided by wealth and obsessed with media and celebrity. The controlling Capitol broadcasts the Hunger Games, mandatory watching for all citizens of Panem. The annual event pits 24 Tributes-a girl and boy teen from each of the 12 Districts surrounding the Capitol-against one another in a desperate battle to the death. When 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her younger sister's place as District Twelve's girl Tribute, she is thrown into a media frenzy, complete with stylists and costumes, literally fighting for her life in the arena. Intense, graphic action, along with a touch of romance, makes this dystopic adventure a great choice for older reluctant readers. Although the plot mimics both Stephen King's The Long Walk (Penguin, 1999) and Running Man (Signet, 1999) as well as Koushon Takami's Battle Royale (Tokyopop, 2007), Collins creates a fascinating world and Katniss is a believably flawed and interesting character. Carolyn McCormick ably voices the action-packed sequences and Katniss's every fear and strength shines through, along with her doomed growing attraction to one of her fellow Tributes. Osborne, C. School Library Journal, 2009.