The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

by Suzanne Collins

[ibeforem]

There is so much in this book to make you say “Wow”. Sure, there’s a lot here that’s been done before… a post-apocalyptic world where the people are oppressed and forced to take part in some winner-takes-all contest to the death is nothing new, but here it is done so well. Katniss is everything you would expect from a girl that’s had to take care of herself and her family most of her life. She’s simple, straight to the point, does what needs to be done however she has to, and yes, a little cold. But she’s also stunted. She’s so busy being a grown-up that she’s never had time to be a teenage girl, and her people skills are certainly lacking. When she throws herself into the Games in order to save her much younger sister, she’s forced to come to terms with her weaknesses.

The Games themselves are a horrifying construction. 24 children (yes, children — they’re all 18 or younger) are forced into an arena of unknown makeup (will it be a forest? a desert? a frozen wasteland? will there be water? wildlife? edible plants?) and are left there to kill or be killed until there is one victor. As if that alone isn’t enough, the games makers are there to shake things up and encourage battle, and the entire thing is televised, 24 hours a day. Katniss’s fight for survival is not only a physical one, but an emotional one, as she struggles with her feelings for fellow tribute, Peeta.

Since there is a second book (and supposedly a third), I’m going to assume that you realize that Katniss makes it through this alive. However, all is not necessarily well, and the way the book ends makes you wish there was just one more chapter. The abruptness of the ending has upset some people, but I think it’s appropriate. It leaves you wondering and a little bit confused, much like Katniss is herself. Because remember, despite what she’s done and what she’s been through, she’s still just a 16 year old girl.

As a side note, if you’re considering this for your young adult reader, there’s no sex or bad language here, but there is a *lot* of violence, some of it quite gruesome.

Can’t wait for book 2.