Title: Hunger GamesAuthor: Suzanne Collins
Publish Date: October 2008
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Pages: 374pp
ISBN: 0439023483
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Supernatural
Age Range: 12 and up
Price: $17.99
Annotation: When Katniss's younger sister's name is drawn to be in the Hunger Games, she decides to take her place because in the Hunger Games, only one survives out of twenty-four.
Summary: Set in a dystopian future, Panem now resides where North America perished and in this future society the Capitol has to keep all of its districts in place. One day the districts decided to revolt, and as a result of that came the Hunger Games. Every year one boy and one girl from each district aged twelve to eighteen are chosen to fight. All twenty-four teens are placed in an outdoor arena to fight to the death, leaving only one teen left standing at the end. When Katniss's younger sister's name is drawn to be in the Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers to step in for her sister. Another contestant in the Games is one of her friends who she's romantically interested in, and who's romantically interested in her. Katniss has to decide who to trust to survive, and making a statement about the cruelty of the system.
Evaluation: Wow! Many reviewers of this novel have called it "addicting," I could not agree with that more. From the first page I could not put this book down. Katniss's terrifying struggle to survive, and to maintain her sense of self within the competition, makes for enthralling reading. Hunger Games touches on many issues, from personal morality, to the effects of oppression and societal violence on young people.
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness:
- Love can be confusing, especially when you aren’t sure who you love.
- Bravery can be scary.
- Witnessing the death of a friend is devastating.
Reason this book was chosen: A deadly lottery combined with a gruesome reality show where teens have to fight to the death. This book was almost impossible not to read.
Similar Titles:
Author Website: Click HERE
Series: The Hunger Games Series
The Hunger Games (2008)
Catching Fire (2009)
The Hunger Games (2008)
Catching Fire (2009)
Mockingjay (August 24, 2010)
Awards:
ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 2009
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, 2009
ALA Notable Children's Book, 2009
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, 2008
Locus Recommended Read (young Adult Book), 2008
Romantic Times Reviwers' Choice Award, 2008
Awards:
ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 2009
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, 2009
ALA Notable Children's Book, 2009
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, 2008
Locus Recommended Read (young Adult Book), 2008
Romantic Times Reviwers' Choice Award, 2008
