Collins, S. (2008) The hunger games. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 2007039987
Plot Summary: One boy and one girl is chosen from each of the 12 districts in Panem, which was formerly North America. A 16 year old girl, Katniss, makes the courageous decision to take her sister's place, when her name is chosen for the competition. The Hunger Games takes place in a large arena and is broad casted live on reality t.v. Since she is being placed in an arena with kids from richer districts and better training, her expectations to survive are low. When she enters the games, the doubts whether the friendships she builds are real considering their circumstances. Since her father has been killed in a mining explosion, Katniss is left to hunt and scrounge for food to support her mom and her sister. These skills give her a slight advantage when she enters the games, but she is still faced with the challenge of being a hunter, and being hunted.
Critical Evaluation: Hunger Games is a compelling story that will surely catch readers attention. Although the characters are living in a dystopia, the subject matter of love, reality t.v., and a fallen economy are very close to home.
Information about the Author: Suzanne Collins lives in Conneticut with her family and is currently working on the third book in the Hunger Games series. She has also written for several Nickelodeon television shows.
Annotation: Katniss has been thrown into a competition that will only allow the survival of the fittest to live.
Booktalking Ideas: Discuss the role of reality t.v. in society
Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade
Challenge Issues: violence
Plot Summary: One boy and one girl is chosen from each of the 12 districts in Panem, which was formerly North America. A 16 year old girl, Katniss, makes the courageous decision to take her sister's place, when her name is chosen for the competition. The Hunger Games takes place in a large arena and is broad casted live on reality t.v. Since she is being placed in an arena with kids from richer districts and better training, her expectations to survive are low. When she enters the games, the doubts whether the friendships she builds are real considering their circumstances. Since her father has been killed in a mining explosion, Katniss is left to hunt and scrounge for food to support her mom and her sister. These skills give her a slight advantage when she enters the games, but she is still faced with the challenge of being a hunter, and being hunted.
Critical Evaluation: Hunger Games is a compelling story that will surely catch readers attention. Although the characters are living in a dystopia, the subject matter of love, reality t.v., and a fallen economy are very close to home.
Information about the Author: Suzanne Collins lives in Conneticut with her family and is currently working on the third book in the Hunger Games series. She has also written for several Nickelodeon television shows.
Annotation: Katniss has been thrown into a competition that will only allow the survival of the fittest to live.
Booktalking Ideas: Discuss the role of reality t.v. in society
Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade
Challenge Issues: violence
