The Hunger Games

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

ISBN: 978-0439023528

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Copyright: 2008

 Plot Summary:  This book tells the story of Katniss Everdeen, who is living in a country called Panem, which was formally North America. Panem is divided into 12 districts. Every year two tributes from each district are chosen to participate in the Hunger games, a literal fight to the death, that is televised across districts. Katniss is volunteers as her district's tribute in place of her little sister Primrose and an acquainted from school named Peeta is chosen as the male tribute. 

Critical Evaluation:  Collins describes the nation of Panem and the poverty that District 12 is in great detail. This story is well written and the reader is compelled to keep turning the pages to see what will happen next, and who will be the last to survive. There is a particularly compelling death scene within the book that is very moving to the reader.

 Reader's Annotation: Katniss has been chosen to compete in the Hunger games, a fight to the death, will she be the last one standing?

Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult

 Author Information:  Suzanne Collins has written other young adult books such as The Underland Chronicles and the sequels to The Hunger Games. To learn more about Suzanne Collins and her books visit http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/.

Book talks: Family, fighting, Death, Future, government control, fear

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School/ Adults. 13-100+.

Challenge: Violence and death. This book is about 24 kids fighting to the death in a televised match. There is some violence and death. It is not too excessive and it is not violence for violence sake. Without these two things there would be no ending to this story.

Why was this book chosen?: This book is a fantastic book and well-written. I enjoyed it very much.