Hunger Games

 Bibliography: Collins, S. (2008). The Hunger Games. Scholastic Press. ISBN 978-0-439-02348-1

Plot Summary: 12 districts lie outside the Capitol. Each year, every district must send two tributes, a boy and a girl, to fight to the death in the Hunger Games, a punishment for the district rebellions against the Capitol years earlier.  When her sister's name is called, Katniss Eberdeen volunteers to go in her place.  Peeta, a boy from her district, is also chosen to go.  Over several weeks, tributes must fight to the death until there is only one survivor, a winner who will be rewarded with food and prizes. Katniss fights to save herself, and eventually Peeta as well. But even survival will have a cost. 

Critical Analysis: If you haven't seen the movies yet, I recommend reading the books first.  Although the movies are well done, the book gives more depth to the characters, especially Peeta and Katniss, as the author delves deeper into their motivations. They are made vulnerable to the reader, who can see their strengths as well as their weaknesses.  The language is simple enough for a middle school reader, yet the thrill and suspense of the plot is enough to attract high school and adult readers as well. The book ends leaving the reader wanting more, and thankfully, we will get that as this is the first of a trilogy. 

Reviews:
    Common Sense Media: "Exciting, provocative tale of lethal reality show."

    Kirkus Reviews: "Impressive world-building, breathtaking action and clear philosophical concerns make this volume, the beginning of a planned trilogy, as good as The Giver and more exciting."

Awards:
    Kirkus Best Young Adult Book of the Year, 2008

    New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice, 2008

    Booklist Editor's Choice List, 2008

Connections:

              Use in an English class of freshmen or sophomores.  Read together and analyze plot, theme and character development.  As you read, have students keep record of examples of literary devices such as similes, metaphors and hyperbole. 
         
                Use in a high school STEM class and have students develop their own tools to deal with some of the obstacles the tributes faced in the games.  Students would include an explanation of the situation it could be used in and how the tool would help.

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