Collins, Suzanne. TheHunger Games. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2008. [Science Fiction,
12-18]
The Hunger Games is a
dystopian novel for young adults, set in the future nation of Panem,
where a decadent Capitol holds the rest of North America – divided
into twelve Districts – in an iron grip. The eponymous Games are a
brutal gladiatorial contest where, every year, two children from each
district are chosen by lottery to fight to the death in a grand
melee; the winner is elevated to national stardom and wealth, and the
winner's district is rationed extra food and resources.
The book takes our
protagonist, Katniss Everdean, through the pomp and circumstance
surrounding the contest's preliminaries, before plunging her into the
horrors of the arena.
Parents may find the
blood-thirsty nature of the premise off-putting, but the emphasis
throughout the book is on the struggle to preserve a measure of
humanity and grace through extraordinary circumstances. The violence
is never gratuitous, and never dwelt on excessively.
The fast pace, engaging
language, and compelling plot make this a good choice for readers
just starting to tackle longer-form stories; Katniss is a sympathetic protagonist, whose emotional journey should resonate with teenagers
trying to find their way in the world.
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