SLIS 5420 The Hunger Games

Week Five: Science Fiction – The Hunger Games

Book Summary:

            In this dystopian novel, twelve districts are forced to compete in a yearly, deadly contest called the Hunger Games.  In punishment for the rebellion against the Capitol years before, two tributes (one boy, one girl) are sacrificed from each district every year, only to be pitted against each other in an arena-based fight to the death for the entertainment of the Capitol citizens.  Meanwhile, the Capitol allows for the people of the districts to starve, while they live lavishly.

            When Primrose Everdeen’s name is called to be District 12’s tribute, even though she only had her name in the drawing once, her older sister, Katniss, volunteers to take her place in a heartbeat of time.  Soon, Katniss and Peeta, the male tribute, are off to the Capitol to be prepared for the Hunger Games and certain death.  Of course, Katniss has skills other players are not prepared for, and the games seem to be ever in her favor.

            

APA Reference:

Collins, S. (2008). The hunger games.  New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

My Impressions:

            I was a bit weary of reading The Hunger Games at first, despite the hype, because everything I heard about it sounded a little too close to the Japanese film (based on the book and Manga), Battle Royale.  I finally heard an interview on NPR before the movie came out that actually compared the two stories and the differences seemed to be enough that I decided to plunge in with everybody else.  So despite my love for Battle Royale, which is more violent             in many ways, I really enjoyed The Hunger Games and can’t wait to read the next books. 

            I understand the strong grasp these books have had on my students, sometimes even the ones who I never see reading otherwise, and I am excited to be able to discuss the books with them this year.  I loved the imagery of the people in the Capitol, who reminded me a lot of the people of the Emerald City in Oz.  I kept picturing the scene where Dorothy and her friends are being pampered and fixed up as Katniss was being “beautified” for the Capitol audience.  After all, she must be presentable to be shown to all of Panem before being slaughtered by a tribute who has trained his or her entire life for this moment. 

            I think the underlying “We can do anything” mentality of the Capitol is more terrifying than the deaths of the adolescent tributes in many ways.  As I said before, I loved the movie of Battle Royale; I can take a lot of violence in these types of situations.  But I was heartbroken over Rue’s death, as I am sure most were, and horrified to learn that genetically mutated weaponized wasps populated certain districts.  Even then, the most horrifying part of the book was when the fallen tributes are returned to the arena as mutated wolves.  I do not know how much of the human tribute was used to create these creatures.  I do not want to know.  All I could think was, “How could they do this?  What would be sent home to the families of these dead children?”  And, almost at the end of the book, the true indifference of the Capitol is revealed. 

            Even in this dystopian novel, the themes and situations of The Hunger Games are those of anyone.  Who do you love?  How much?  Why?  What would you do to live?  How far are you willing to go?  I think a lot of people ask themselves these questions daily.  Let’s just hope it isn’t in this type of situation. 

Professional Review:

Imagine Survivor, with kids, televised in real time with the entire country watching. And instead of being voted off the island, you're locked in a death match till the last kid is left standing. For a sheer thrill ride that's bound to hook teens and adults, and for its mordant social commentary, this novel gets my vote.

Roback, D. (2009, January 5). The Hunger Games. [Review of the book The Hunger Games by S. Collins] Publishers Weekly, 256(1),
          24.

            In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 14 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like "Survivor" and "American Gladiator." Book one of a planned trilogy.

Baird, J. (2008, September). The Hunger Games. [Review of  the book The Hunger Games by S. Collins] School Library Journal, 54(9),
          176-177.

Library Uses:

            This book would be an excellent addition to a Glogster poster on the library’s website showcasing dystopian novels.  When the patron clicks on the cover image, it could take them to a trailer for the book.