The Hunger Games

Bibliographic Information: Collins, S. (2008). The hunger games. New York: Scholastic. ISBN: 9780439023481

Plot Summary: Katniss Everdeen lives in a future dystopian United States that has transformed into the nation, Panem, and is divided by twelve districts that surround the Capitol. The Capitol and the districts were once at war, and now to remind the citizens of Panem of their treason, each district is forced to give up one teenage boy and one teenage girl to fight in an arena, on national television, to the death. Katniss’s little sister is chosen on the day of the reaping, as well as Peeta, a boy from her district who once saved her life by offering a loaf of bread. Out of bravery and love for her sister, Katniss steps in her place (this is allowed), and is sent off with Peeta to begin training for the Hunger Games.

            Katniss is primped and pampered to look perfect by her stylist, and meets her drunken mentor, Haymitch. Peeta and Katniss get a glimpse of what they are up against during training, and eventually the games begin. Through a combination of strategies, including hiding in trees and passively waiting for everyone to kill each other, Katniss and Peeta become the first ever couple to both win the games. But their defiance in refusing to kill one another sparks suspicion from the Capitol, so they maintain a false relationship that the media loves. However, their feigned love, just might blossom into something more.

Critical Evaluation: Even though the idea of forcing children to kill each other for entertainment seems farfetched and ridiculous, the whole premise does raise questions about contemporary media. With the rise of video games and movies that can depict violence to vividly and with such realistic detail, it feels as if society’s cravings for violence will never reach its limit. The Hunger Games forces us to ask questions about ourselves. Is it really in our human nature to enjoy watching people suffer? There have certainly been times though out history, like in ancient Rome, where gladiators fought to the death. So it is frightening to think that children could eventually be given such a task. Exploring such a carnal aspect of human darkness through a fictitious world, helps us answer some of these questions. Obviously, Katniss represents the “good fight” in her ability to avoid killing anyone, until she has to kill Cato out of pity for his suffering. Her and Peeta’s willingness to sacrifice themselves is a testament to the power of human will to do good, and the ultimate slap in the face to tyranny.

Reader’s Annotation: Katniss has just chosen to enter a fight-to-the-death in place of her sister. The fight will be aired on television.

Author Information: Gale’s Contemporary Authors Online states, “Suzanne Collins, who has worked as a writer on such television programs as Clarissa Explains It All, Little Bear, and Oswald, did not plan to write a novel for children. After a conversation with children's book author and illustrator Joe Proimos, however, she was convinced to give it a try. The resulting novel, Gregor the Overlander, became the first installment in Collins's "Underland Chronicles," a series of Alice in Wonderland-esque tales that find Gregor traversing an urban environment. Collins, who lived in New York City for sixteen years, wanted to gear her fantasy toward cosmopolitan young readers who are more familiar with city streets that sunlit meadows. As a contributor to the Scholastic Web site noted of Collins's inspiration, "in New York City, you're much more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole and, if you do, you're not going to find a tea party."

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian

Subjects: death, competition, dystopian, survival, romance, reality television

Curriculum Ties: Media and Culture

Booktalking Ideas: Ask teens to observe television advertisements and reality shows. Discuss what is depicted and how it might lead to the kind of entertainment represented in Panem.

How do you feel about violent videogames? Do they bring out violence in people? Or are they just harmless and vicarious ways to have fun?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15+

Challenge Issues/Defense: Due to depictions of violence, this book may be challenged. If so, refer to:

1.     The San Francisco Public Library Collection Development Policy, Selection Criteria, and Teen Collection documents.

2.     The California Department of Education District Selection Policies, Reading Lists, and Resources for Recommended Literature: Pre-K-12.

3.     A hard copy of the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights.

4.     Mixed book reviews from School Library Journal, Kirkus, and Publisher’s Weekly.

5.     Book selection rationale.

6.     If necessary, The San Francisco Public Library’s Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form.

Reason for Selection: This series doesn’t appear to be declining in popularity, and it really set the stage for the current dystopian craze in YA literature. Though there are a lot of derivative versions of The Hunger Games out there, this series is still the best written, with the best character development.