The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

Year: 2008

# Pages: 374

Category: Series

Other books in this series: Catching Fire (2009), Mockingjay (2010)

Genre: Science Fiction

Awards & Honors:

2008 Cybil Award—fantasy/sci-fi

NY Times Notable Children’s Book of 2008

School Library Journal’s Best Books of 2008

2009 Golden Duck Award in YA Fiction Category

Publisher’s Weekly Best Books of the Year 2008

California Young Reader Medal 2011—Young Adult category (voted on by kids)

My Summary & Critique:

One of the most popular series of young adult books in the past few years is The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. It is powerful, thought-provoking, and emotionally gripping. The Hunger Games takes place sometime in the future, in a nation known as Panem located in the ruins of North America. Panem is governed by the Capitol, a harsh and cruel dictatorship which keeps control of the other outlying 12 districts through strict rules and restricted access to life’s amenities, even the necessities. Each year, these districts are forced into participating in a type of lottery, “the reaping,” to send one male and one female, age 12 to 18, to fight in “The Hunger Games,” a televised event in which the participants fight to the death while the nation watches on their television screens. When 12-year-old Prim’s name is chosen, her 16-year-old sister, Katniss steps forward to take her place in the Games. She learns that the survival skills she has used to help keep her family fed will become useful as she fights for her life. The story is complicated by her feelings for Peeta, the male competitor from her district who brings more emotion and humanity to the competition, forcing Katniss to consider more than just her own survival.

This is the type of book that is difficult to put down. Around every turn, there is suspense, action, and fully-developed human drama and characterization. The reader is pulled into the lives and thoughts of Katniss and Peeta as they endure the manipulations of the Capitol and prepare for the Games. Then, as the Games begin, their struggle has the reader cheering for them and wondering what pitfalls they will endure next. This book appeals to both male and female readers and keeps them guessing until the end. When the last page is turned, the reader is left wanting more. Thankfully, there are two more books in the series. I believe young adults would really enjoy this book, and I feel it is most appropriate for more mature readers because of its violent content.