Module 8 The Hunger Games

Summary: Katniss lives in a post apocalyptic world that once was North America, but is now made up of 12 districts that are ruled by the Capitol.  At one point district 13 rebelled against the Capitol and lost its battle. In order for the Capitol to remind the rest of the districts of this failed attempt, every year 2 children from each district  between the ages of 12-18 are chosen to fight to the death in the annual Hunger Games. This year, Katniss Everdeen's little sister is chosen at the reaping to be the female tribute, but Katniss volunteers herself to go instead.  Now she must do everything in her power to stay alive to keep the promise she made to her little sister, even considering taking the life of the boy from her district, Peeta, that once saved her life.

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

My Impressions:  I was so glad to have finally get to read The Hunger Games series.  I had heard wonderful reviews about them and knew that the movie was not too far from being released.  It is now probably one of my favorite YA books that I have ever read.  Collins did an amazing job creating an amazing heroine living in world full of sadness and despair, but also given the reader glimpse of hope that everything was going to work out.  This series sucked me right in and didn't let go until the last page of Mockingbird was read.  Even now, I still have the urge to pick up the book again and read the whole series just one more time.  If you are craving entertainment, this book meets those expectations and then some.

Professional Reviews: 
Survivor meets "The Lottery" as the author of the popular Underland Chronicles returns with what promises to be an even better series. The United States is no more, and the new Capitol, high in the Rocky Mountains, requires each district to send two teenagers, a boy and a girl, to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a reality show from which only one of the twenty-four participants will emerge victorious -- and alive. When her younger sister is chosen by lottery to represent their district, Katniss volunteers to go in her stead, while Peeta, who secretly harbors a crush on Katniss, is the boy selected to join her. A fierce, resourceful competitor who wins the respect of the other participants and the viewing public, Katniss also displays great compassion and vulnerability through her first-person narration. The plot is front and center here -- the twists and turns are addictive, particularly when the romantic subplot ups the ante -- yet the Capitol's oppression and exploitation of the districts always simmers just below the surface, waiting to be more fully explored in future volumes. Collins has written a compulsively readable blend of science fiction, survival story, unlikely romance, and social commentary.

[Review of The Hunger Games]. (2008, September). Hornbook. Retrieved from http://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=4b32f2cb7e1e87368fe5b0b1612cbe42

Library Use: Since this book and the whole series is full of excitement and suspense, it would be great to have students create book trailers for each one.