The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)

Reader reviewed by Nick Burns

Outside Read Book Critique

The Hunger Games is a book that will grab you and not let go until the last page. It starts off with a girl named Katniss who gets chosen to compete in the countries tradition, The Hunger Games. This is an arena in the wild with a total of 24 kids two from each district. While in the arena the kids fight to the death and the winner is honored for years to come. In some cities children are trained from a very young age to survive these Hunger Games. Katniss knows this and is sure she will die a gruesome death in the arena. She believes this until the rankings of all the competitors comes out and she is ranked highest for her skills with a bow and arrow. She feels some confidence but is nervous about competing with boys who are twice her size and strength. When she hits the arena she runs into the forest as quick as possible to avoid being killed early on by the strong men. She lasts a long time and makes a lot of smart strategic moves to give her the best chances of winning. After many twists and turns she finds herself in an almost winning position until the unthinkable happens. To figure out these twists and turns you must read the book.

The content of this book is heart racing and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The first person narration gives a good perspective for this book. It explains how Katniss has had a hard life because her dad was killed in a mining accident. She had to make the decision of starvation or illegal actions to obtain food for her little sister. This forced her to grow up really quick and weakened her relationship with her mom. The city rules say that if humans go outside the city limits to get food they could be punished by death. Although there are rules in place she occasionally sells her food to the city officials so they dont enforce the rules well. The city officials are corrupt and are only doing their jobs for themselves not the people of the city. This first person perspective foreshadows the actions of Katniss actions in the arena. In the beginning of the book it gives insight to her personal life like the many stories of her childhood which includes helping her family survive food shortages. If this story were told in third person it would answer a lot of questions throughout the book. It would tell us why Peeta confessed his love for Katniss. It would inform us of why the capitol made changes in the middle of the games. It would have given us a different view on everyones thoughts during the game whether they had confidence in themselves or not. We could all see what Haymitch is thinking about when he is helping the two kids and who he thinks has a better chance at winning. It would tell us if president snow likes to see people die during the games.

The information in this book would seem to appeal to readers of all types and ages. If you like an action book with many twists and turns this is the book for you. It is an easy read and although appears long it will grab you and not release until the very end. I highly recommend this book.

Reader reviewed by Jillian

Would you be able to survive in the wild, while being hunted by other humans? Could you survive? The novel, The Hunger Games, tells the story of a poor young girl who takes a big risk. Her name, Katniss Everdeen. The game: Hunger Games. Katniss lives in the small District 12, in Panem, or what used to be North America. The people are controlled by the harsh Capitol, who constantly reminds the citizens that THEY are the ones in control. And one way they remind the citizens of this is the Hunger Games, a horrific game to duel to the death of 24 people from the ages of 12- 18. Each district sends one boy, and one girl. There can only be one victor. So when Katniss Everdeen and her younger sister go to the annual drawing of the contestants for this game, Katniss steps forward to take her sisters place, which is practically a death sentence! As we read we watch Katniss try to survive obstacles with the capitol, dueling, and even love.

For having no desire to read this book, I have found myself to have become fascinated with it. It was more then I had imagined it to be, and I couldnt put it down! Having the book be in first person really let you see what Katniss was seeing and what she was feeling during all the moments of the book. The kill or be killed idea really makes this novel a page turner. Also the idea that this is a game show, shows the reader the struggles and training that the contestants must go through, and they realize that their actions will be broadcasted around the districts. Being the first book of a trilogy I know that I will be rushing to the book store to buy the next two books. The Hunger Games is an outstanding young adult novel, with plenty of adventure, incredible characters and a hint of romance.

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Reader reviewed by Sara

The Hunger Games Book Review

 

            I recommend reading the book The
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  This book
has action and also a melancholy tone at some points.  The main character Katniss Everdeen nominates
herself to compete in the games.  The
games are a fight to the death.  Twenty four
people compete in the games and the last one alive wins a life time of food,
glory, and more. 

 

            The main
character Katniss Everdeen lives with her mom and her sister Prim in district
12, Panem.  Panem is considered North
America.  Katniss is a
strong young woman who protects and provides for her family ever since her
father died.  Prim is the opposite of
Katniss.  Gail Hawthorn is Katnisss best
friend.  They met each other while
hunting in illegal territory.  The book
opens up on a melancholy toned day.   Reaping
day is the most important day of the year. The whole family and Gail head down
to town square where they will await to see who will get to compete in the
deathly games.  Prims name is chosen from
the pile and when Katniss heres this she automatically volunteers herself so
her inexperienced hunter sister doesnt have to compete.  This shows me how Katniss will do anything for
her family and how protective she is. 
Katniss goes to the capital where the training center is.  Katniss gets her first taste of fine dinning
here.  She will stay there until the games
start.  One of her opponents is Peeta
Mellark.  He has his strengths and
weaknesses but overall a well trained person for the hunger games.  I think the author makes Peeta and Katniss very
similar in abilities to foreshadow how the games will unravel.  The games begin and Katniss makes an alliance
with a girl named Rue.  Rue eventually
dies with Katniss holding her hand.  Katniss
made an effort to stay by Rues side.  I
can see again how protective Katniss really is. 
Ironically the last two people are Peeta and Katniss.  The both of them threaten the producer of the
games to let them both win or they will both eat poisonous berries which means
they will die.  Peeta and Katniss are the
winners and win a life time of a privileged life style.       

            I think the
overall theme of this book would have to be that life is a big game.  That game has its easy and hard times but if
you persevere and make good decisions, life will reward you.  I also noticed that this author created a lot
of great bonds between the characters.

            The Hunger Games written by Suzanne
Collins is a great book because it has everything teens like.  This book has suspense, a little love
connection, and teens can actually learn from this book on how the world and
life isnt always what you expect.     

Reader reviewed by Shane O'Connell

Shane OConnell

Period #5

Ms. OBrien

English 2       

The Hunger Games

            The Hunger Games is based on a story in the future that people are divided into distracts. In this novel we meet a young girl named Katniss who lives in district 12 a poor distract for mining coal. This distract is part of a country called Panem, who is controlled by the capital. Every year to show the Capital is still in control, they put on a game show. This game is called the Hunger Games. 24 children from the ages 12-18 compete to the death until there is one winner. So when the annual drawings of the names of the contestants are being called, Katnisss willingly takes her sister place. This embarks the beginnings of the adventures in the novel. We watch Katniss goes through the training, get to know her competition, and start to fall for the boy from the districts. When the games begin we watch Katniss plans her strategic moves, her allies start to form, and her feelings start to unfold.

I thought the Hunger Games was a little slow in the beginning and could have got to the action sooner. The last part of the book was very interesting with a lot of action and killing with a slight love connection. This book was very enjoyable to read and was one of my favorites. I usually dont like reading books but this one was very thrilling and kept me interested every moment and I always wanted to know what was coming next. I couldnt sleep at night because I just wanted to know what was going to happen next and always kept me on my toes. I think the author did a great job with this book and has a great imagination and  ideas.

Last, I think all teenagers have to read this book because it is entertaining. If I liked the book all the other teenagers will. Im not a big book person but this was a good one. I already got the second ordered and ready to read. This book was awesome!

Reader reviewed by Wendy

I had to read this book for school and I thought I would hate it. I don't like scifi or fantasy types of books. I am really glad I had to read this book because this book was possibly the best book I have read all year! From the very beginning I could not put this book down. The story moved so fast! I loved the characters and their names!! I couldn't help feeling like the games were a bit too much like bad reality tv, but I still found myself wanting to see what happened. In class when we had to talk about the book it made the hour go by so fast because a lot of people had something to say and it was really interesting. I still don't like these types of books but I can't wait to read the next two books. 

Reader reviewed by Evan

The Hunger games
Suzanne Collins


Katniss, a young, responsible and fearless girl is in for the exerience of her life. Having to keep herself and her mother and younger sister alive is something she will fight for, even if it means certian death.

5!!

this book was a great book for me and the group i read it with. we never ran out of things to talk about and it was always exciting and i didnt want to stop reading. i recomend this to everyone and anyone in the world!

Reader reviewed by Katelyndoodle

By page one you will be immersed into a world where survival is cranked up a notch. Each year the capital draws 2 names from each district to be thrown into battle. If you want to survive you must kill your opponents. But what will be the fate of Katniss? 

Reader reviewed by Alison

Review of the Hunger Games

In our lives today, most people tremble when they hear the news of a young adult passing away because of murder or accident. And usually the person who caused the child harm is blamed and frowned upon. But when you go back in history, different cultures have stories of their violence and the way they ruled. The time you live in determines your outlook on life. Back then, many civilizations sacrificed each other and killed without reason. We may still do the same today, but it is outlawed by many. But what if things changed and our future was like how our history was?

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is centered on the 16 year old Katniss Everdeen. Every year, a boy and a girl from the ages 12 to 18 from each District is chosen to fight to the death in an arena their government designed. Volunteering for to take her sisters place, Katniss is thrown into the world where every move you make matters. Its the world where you have to train for the worst and make allies that you know you will have to kill off in the end.

Going into the games, our main character is faced with 23 other contestants that are out to kill and the arena itself. Katniss becomes allies with the boy from her District, Peeta Mellark, who will do anything to keep her alive. She is lucky because she has some skills herself that she can use to target others. But fighting to the death can even take its toll on the strongest of souls.

 This captivating story of a dystopian society brings out the worst nightmare for families everywhere. Just the idea of having children and teens alike being thrown into an arena to fight to the death is just unimaginable. But in this book, Collins tells the merciful story of a young girl experiencing the worst of it all.

The characters, major and minor alike, will capture your attention and possibly your heart. Katniss is a strong, determined girl who would do anything to keep her family safe from harm. Shes the girl who speaks her mind and breaks the rules if needed. Instead of being selfish and lazy, Katniss is one to keep going without trying to harm others first. Shes the girl that many would look up too. Peeta, the main guy, is loving and sensitive. Although some consider him weak, he is easy to love. Even the lesser characters have personalities like some of the people you know. Selfish, funny, and sarcastic, each character has his or her own unique personality that brings the story along.

 The thrill of the novel will keep you up until the ungodly hours of the night, turning the page just to find out more. Every conversation heard to every move made in the arena is unpredictable. And when you think something is over, it really isnt. The novel has enough action in the story to keep to the reader from becoming bored and ends it with you wanting more.

For hopeless romantics out there, there is just enough romance in the story to keep up with todays love fantasies. The boys in this novel will even leave the ladies picking teams.  All in all, The Hunger Games is a novel that even the pickiest of readers will not be able to put down.

Reader reviewed by Keara Benton

Katniss Everdeen's life always hangs in a state of false danger. In order to feed her family in a futuristic North American place called Panem, she must go outside the law to hunt and sell game. She and her best friend Gale find themselves more often together and in the woods breaking that law than anywhere else. But the approach of the annual "Reaping" threatens to tear their world apart like it does every year.

If your name is drawn in the "reaping", a possibility for every child between twelve and eighteen, you are sent as a tribute to fight to the death against teens from every one of the twelve districts of Panem. One girl and one boy are sent to the Capitol, twenty-four contenders, and only one walks out alive.

Everything changes the moment Katniss's younger sister Prim is selected--and she steps up to take her place. Within seconds, their world is forever altered as Katniss stands by Peeta Mellark, the male tribute from District 12. They are thrown into a bloody battle with no choice but to kill or be killed. Could either of them possibly survive the brutal Games?

The Hunger Games is a fast, action-packed, but thought provoking, edgy story that forces you to keep reading. Effortless detailed, you clamor for more, and find yourself torn between the lives of the tributes and especially Katniss and Peeta. There are also evident and witty comments on society and people that are equally as intriguing as the plot and the characters spun into this gripping story.

Reader reviewed by Kelsey

After hearing so much about The Hunger Games, I finally picked up
a copy at my library, and I'm glad I did because this book rocked! I
couldn't help but compare its government to our own, and how we're
getting closer and closer to having our freedoms obliterated and having
the government control everything we do. I loved Katniss' character. She
is one girl who can take care of herself, even when she and everyone
around her is oppressed.

Collins creates a world that is
basically horrible. The Capital makes people play in a game to their
deaths and forces everyone in the districts to watch as their loved ones
die. I was reminded of The Giver
by Lois Lowry (another must-read book), where the Elders choose what
the younger people do as a living, and they are supposed to accept their
job without complaint or rebellion.

I love reading dystopian
books, even though they essentially are all depressing. It gives us a
peek into what this world would be like if such-and-such actually
happened.

The Hunger Games
has excitement, and will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way
through. It will be interesting to see what happens in Catching Fire, the second book in the
trilogy, especially with the love triangle of Katniss, Gale, and Peeta.