Book review #3 The Hunger Games

Catherine Schaaf
cschaaf@st.philip-neri.org

Fastasy:The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games: A Fantasy by Suzanne Collins,2009,374pp.
$17.99 Fantasy/FictionISBN: 978-0-439-02348-1

Trespassing in the woods is illegal, but for 16 year old Katniss Everdeen; she must hunt for meat to support her sister and mother. She takes the risk with a knife and a bow to keep them from dying of hunger. It is just enough to sneak and hunt to help her family to survive, but for Katniss, her future is to fight for her life.

At one time it was called North America, but now it is known as the nation Panem. Panem has a council surrounded by 12 Districts. Each District is poor and hungry, but must contribute their areas natural resource to the Capitol.

Katniss and her family live in District 12. Their district mines for coal. They are regarded as the lowest district. Each year in Panem there is game- the Hunger games brought by treaty of treason, due to a Thirteenth District which rebelled. The Hunger
Games are a way of the Capitol reminding all of the districts they are at the Councils control. Due to the uprising, a reminder is made each year by performing the games. Each of the twelve districts must provide one girl and one boy to participate. They are from the ages of 12 to 18. They are called Tributes. Katniss’ sister Prim is pulled from thousands of entries. Katniss does not want her younger sister to be a tribute, so she steps forward in her place.

The baker’s son, Peeta Mellark is selected as the boy tribute. Peeta is a strong, large boy. He is quiet and does not have the hunting skills Katniss has. Katniss is torn between supporting Peeta in the games or fighting alone for herself. There can only be one winner. Peeta has a crush on Katniss which embarasses her and makes her question his intentions in the game.

The Hunger Games are a game of twenty four children fighting for their lives. The fights are televised for all to see. It is a fight to the death. Only one child may be declared as a winner. As in the Daylight Runner by Oisin McGann another story with its own city. An Ice Age transformed , has industrial leaders that wield enormous power and great risk is taken to survive.

The Hunger Games Totalitarian Government which oppresses the people is an example to relate for high school students taking History and Government. It may also be used in a discussion in Psychology classes concerning morals and ethics. It is a book of ethics gone bad and makes for deep discussions for YA readers. The book is appropriate in content for Juniors and Seniors in high school. This level of students will understand the nature of horror and hope according to the rules of survival.