Book: Suzanne Collins. The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2008.
Awards:
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy
Summary: In the nation of Panem, there are twelve districts. Every year, the Capitol draws one girl and one boy from each district to fight for their lives on national television in the Huger Games. When Katniss's sister, Primrose, is drawn from district twelve, Katniss volunteers for her. This story is all about the fight for her life, the relationships that form along the way, and the relationships that are lost. When Katniss and Peeta are the last two members of the Hunger Games, they try to eat poisonous berries. The Capitol stops them and announces them both as winners. What lies ahead for the two winner is an interesting adventure.
Audience: I would read this book with grades 8 through 12.
Themes: Survival is a major theme in this book. Throughout the entire book, Katniss and Peeta are fighting to stay alive. Even before the Hunger Games begin, their district is poverty-stricken and hunger is a main concern for Katniss and her family. This would be important to discuss with students because some students will not understand the importance of survival in their situation.
Another theme in this book is violence. The Hunger Games is practically based off violence. The kids are fighting among each other and killing each other to survive. This is important to discuss with students because the violence can be a bit graphic. It is important to talk about how our world is compared to theirs. It is also important to make clear that that type of violence would be completely unacceptable in our society.
Evidence:
“Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor.”
This quote is said before the Hunger Games begin. It really shows that the Hunger Games are truly just a game to the Capitol and to the higher class people of the society. But, it essentially means death for the lower districts.
“District 12: Where you can starve to death in safety.”
This quote depicts the lives of the people living in district twelve. They are in the lowest district with the least amount of resources. Katniss illegally hunts just to put food on the table for her family, otherwise they would starve to death. But, the Capitol lives elegantly and wastes enough food for district twelve to be fed.
Reaction: Personally, I love this book! This is one of my favorite series (tied with Harry Potter). I would definitely use this book in my classroom if my students are old enough/mature enough. Students would really get into this series, just like I did. The plot is fantastic and there are so many good elements of this story. The movies are great as well. I would definitely recommend this book to almost anyone that is old enough.
Reception:
"This book is amazing, and nothing you'll read can top it. Violence? A lot of scary stuff, including people who's tongues are cut out just for disobeying the government. Other violence includes a scene where a character is mauled by dogs, one scene where someone dies from bug stings, resulting in a bloated body covered with oozing pus. Sex? Katniss and Peeta kiss. Katniss is described to be naked in a few scenes. Language? Hell. Drinking, Drugs? Haymitch, Katniss and Peeta's only lifeline in the games, is a drunk beyond repair, that pukes on the mayor and falls off the stage in a comedic scene."
"Absolutely amazing book. I read all 300 + pages in one day, which is rare even for me, an avid reader. The violence level reminded me of the original Halloween: You're so caught up in the excitement and horror of what's going on that you don't realize until much later that you've hardly seen any blood or graphic gore. It is very violent, though, and the idea of kids being forced to kill each other off on live TV is disturbing, especially with the reality show trend today. But that's probably why the series is so popular -- it strikes a nerve with people in our culture."
Hyperlinks:
Author Webpage
Scholastic
Awards:
- #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
- #1 USA TODAY BESTSELLER
- WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER
- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER
- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'S BEST BOOKS OF 2008: CHILDREN'S FICTION
- NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK OF 2008
- AN AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
- TOP TEN BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS SELECTION
- AN ALA NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK
- 2009 ALA AMELIA BLOOMER PROJECT LIST
- #1 ON WINTER '08/'09 CHILDREN'S INDIE NEXT LIST
- INDIES CHOICE--BEST INDIE YOUNG ADULT BUZZ BOOK HONOR
- 2008 CYBIL AWARD--FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION
- 2009 CHILDREN'S CHOICE BOOK AWARD
- TEEN CHOICE BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALIST
- YALSA'S TEENS' TOP TEN, 2009
- NYPL “STUFF FOR THE TEEN AGE” LIST, 2009
- CCBC CHOICES 2009
- A NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS' CHOICE
- A KIRKUS BEST BOOK OF 2008
- A HORN BOOK FANFARE
- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOKS Of 2008
- A BOOKLIST EDITORS' CHOICE, 2008
- LA TIMES FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOKS, 2008
- BARNES & NOBLE BEST BOOKS OF 2008
- FOR TEENS AND KIDS
- BORDERS BEST BOOKS OF 2008: TEENS
- AMAZON BEST BOOKS OF 2008:
- TOP 100 EDITORS' PICK
- TOP 10 BOOKS: TEENS
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy
Summary: In the nation of Panem, there are twelve districts. Every year, the Capitol draws one girl and one boy from each district to fight for their lives on national television in the Huger Games. When Katniss's sister, Primrose, is drawn from district twelve, Katniss volunteers for her. This story is all about the fight for her life, the relationships that form along the way, and the relationships that are lost. When Katniss and Peeta are the last two members of the Hunger Games, they try to eat poisonous berries. The Capitol stops them and announces them both as winners. What lies ahead for the two winner is an interesting adventure.
Audience: I would read this book with grades 8 through 12.
Themes: Survival is a major theme in this book. Throughout the entire book, Katniss and Peeta are fighting to stay alive. Even before the Hunger Games begin, their district is poverty-stricken and hunger is a main concern for Katniss and her family. This would be important to discuss with students because some students will not understand the importance of survival in their situation.
Another theme in this book is violence. The Hunger Games is practically based off violence. The kids are fighting among each other and killing each other to survive. This is important to discuss with students because the violence can be a bit graphic. It is important to talk about how our world is compared to theirs. It is also important to make clear that that type of violence would be completely unacceptable in our society.
Evidence:
“Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor.”
This quote is said before the Hunger Games begin. It really shows that the Hunger Games are truly just a game to the Capitol and to the higher class people of the society. But, it essentially means death for the lower districts.
“District 12: Where you can starve to death in safety.”
This quote depicts the lives of the people living in district twelve. They are in the lowest district with the least amount of resources. Katniss illegally hunts just to put food on the table for her family, otherwise they would starve to death. But, the Capitol lives elegantly and wastes enough food for district twelve to be fed.
Reaction: Personally, I love this book! This is one of my favorite series (tied with Harry Potter). I would definitely use this book in my classroom if my students are old enough/mature enough. Students would really get into this series, just like I did. The plot is fantastic and there are so many good elements of this story. The movies are great as well. I would definitely recommend this book to almost anyone that is old enough.
Reception:
"This book is amazing, and nothing you'll read can top it. Violence? A lot of scary stuff, including people who's tongues are cut out just for disobeying the government. Other violence includes a scene where a character is mauled by dogs, one scene where someone dies from bug stings, resulting in a bloated body covered with oozing pus. Sex? Katniss and Peeta kiss. Katniss is described to be naked in a few scenes. Language? Hell. Drinking, Drugs? Haymitch, Katniss and Peeta's only lifeline in the games, is a drunk beyond repair, that pukes on the mayor and falls off the stage in a comedic scene."
"Absolutely amazing book. I read all 300 + pages in one day, which is rare even for me, an avid reader. The violence level reminded me of the original Halloween: You're so caught up in the excitement and horror of what's going on that you don't realize until much later that you've hardly seen any blood or graphic gore. It is very violent, though, and the idea of kids being forced to kill each other off on live TV is disturbing, especially with the reality show trend today. But that's probably why the series is so popular -- it strikes a nerve with people in our culture."
Hyperlinks:
Author Webpage
Scholastic