The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)

Reader reviewed by Sara

Ideas expressed/message/plot: From book jacket: COULD YOU SURVIVE ON YOUR OWN IN THE WILD WITH EVERY ONE OUT TO MAKE SURE YOU DONT LIVE TO SEE THE MORNING? In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sisters place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Favorite characters, quotes/lines: Katniss: She was the perfect heroine for this book& strong, smart, and compassionate!; Rue: She was an interesting character brave and smart for her age I was very sorry to see her go; Peeta: Hmm. What can I say about him? Except that he was amazing! I wanted Katniss to see how much he loved her and I felt so sorry for him when she only saw his feelings as part of the game. He was so different from Katniss, but exactly what she needs.

When I finished this book I felt: I never thought I would like this book, so whenever I saw it, I just passed right by it. Now, Im really regretting that! This is one of my all-time favorite books and I cant wait to read the next one. The idea of Panem is terrifying and I like to imagine that it could never happen at least not in such extremes as in the book. But there are some definite parallels that can be drawn between the world today and Panem. The love story in this book was perfect. I never really expected to see a love plot in this type of book but it was there and it was one of my favorites. It was so perfect because Peeta is obvious about his love for Katniss, she thinks its just part of the Games, and she doesnt recognize her own return of those feelings. Im definitely rooting for Katniss and Peeta. I will be anxiously awaiting the next book!

Other books to read by this author: The Underland Chronicles, Catching Fire (Sept. 2009) (next Hunger bk)

I would recommend this book to: Guys and girls with a liking for adventure and a touch of romance (the love story isnt overwhelming so even my little brother will like it)

Reader reviewed by Brittany Gore

The sequel for this book won't be able to come out fast enough... Katniss's strength throughout the Hunger Games shows that women can do everything. Her bravery to take her sister's place makes me feel empowered. Everything she had to go through is really inspirational to me. It shows me how I want to live my life; fighting until the very end

Reader reviewed by deltay

Reader reviewed by Max

When Katniss's younger sister's name is drawn to be in the Hunger Games - a fight to the death between twenty-four teenagers - Katniss volunteers to step in for her sister. Another contestant in the Games is one of her friends who she's romantically interested in, and who's romantically interested in her. Katniss has to decide who to trust to survive, and making a statement about the cruelty of the system.

The Hunger Games is definitely a page turner. It's not light either - Katniss's voice is serious, and the book can be at times dark. However, it's not so dark that I was at all uncomfortable reading it. It had a perfect amount of suspense. I loved The Hunger Games, and I can't wait for the next one to come out.

Reader reviewed by whatofwonderland

Brilliant! I was so pleased to find a book with so much character and spunk! Kept me reading on and on, begging to know what would be coming next. In this world, people must work hard and behave to stay alive. Any wrong move and you're gone. For entertainment the capitol takes players (one boy and one girl) from the surrounding twelve districts and throws them into a match to the death. Players do not know what to expect as far as the elements, their environments, as well as their rival competitors. With the whole world watching their inner and outer battles, they must find ways to outsmart the others. The ultimate prize; their lives.

Reader reviewed by Liz C.

Sometime after the world as we know it ends a new nation
called Panem emerges. Panem is divided into 12 districts, and one Capitol.
Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12 with her mother and little sister. Since
her father died in a mining accident she has had to fight everyday, breaking
laws and risking her life just to keep her family fed. Once a year the Capitol
holds The Hunger Games, where one boy and one girl over the age of 12 from each
of the 12 districts are thrown into an arena. At the end, only one person is
still living, and they are the winner. To decide who goes, each district holds
a Reaping. At the age of 12 you automatically get one ticket added to the
Reaping hat. If youre poor and cannot get food to eat, you can trade more name
tickets for grain. That means you now have a better chance of being called out
at The Reaping, and sent into the unknown to fight for your life. After Katniss
sister is pulled out of the Reaping Hat, Katniss volunteers to take her
place. The boy that is called out is Peeta, the son of a baker (get it? Peeta? Baking?),
and the boy Katniss credits with saving her life after her father died. Suddenly
they are hauled away from their family and taken to The Capitol, where the rich
people of Panem live. After a week of training, preparations and ceremonies,
The Hunger Games have finally begun. Since only one person can win, that means
either Katniss or Peeta has to die. Or do they?

 

 

In a world where Twilight is considered the best YA novel
ever, I am very happy to see The Hunger Games get so much attention.  It is a great example of what a YA novel
should be. It is unique, creative, and makes you think long after youve
finished the book. The plot is gripping; you hate having to picture these kids
killing each other, but you also want the main characters to win! Typical of a
YA novel is has much gooey romance to win over the stubborn sci-fi readers. The
ending is both inspiring but worrying. My only 
complaint is that the author could have been a tad bit more creative
when naming the characters. It reminded me of those celebrities who name their
kids wacky things like Zuma and Pilot. But once you get over that, you wont
want to put this book down.

Reader reviewed by Shea Burnett

Absoulutly fantastic!!  This book is amazing it takes place in the futer when the government has taken over and instead of states it is all districts, this book is about a girl and her family and when her sister is picked from a drawing that means you will go and fight with other districts and probley die fighting she goes in her place. One boy and one girl is picked from each disrict and turns out the boy who will be fighting is one of her friends! In the end her and her friend are the final two and must fight will each other, one of them might get killed and for what, a years supply of food! Who will die? Will anyone die? Who will win? This book is breathtaking gladiator-like but all around great!

 

 

Reader reviewed by Iryna

In
the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of
Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The
Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the other districts in line by
forcing them to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a
fight-to-the-death on live TV. One boy and one girl between the ages of
twelve and sixteen are selected by lottery to play. The winner brings
riches and favor to his or her district. But that is nothing compared
to what the Capitol wins: one more year of fearful compliance with its
rule. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her
mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is
forced to represent her impoverished district in the Games. But Katniss
has been close to dead before and survival, for her, is second nature.
Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to
win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against
humanity and life against love. Acclaimed writer Suzanne Collins,
author of the New York Times bestselling Underland Chronicles, delivers
equal parts suspense and philosophy, adventure and romance, in this
stunning novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present.

Last
week at Chapters I was faced with the difficult decision of whether to
buy "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins (Option #1) or "The Truth
About Forever" by Sarah Dessen and "The Dust of 100 Dogs" by A.S. King
(Option #2). You see, I had a $20 dollar limit and I couldn't buy a
penny over since I was using a gift card. Thankfully, the store had 20%
off on all kids and teens books which reduced the price.

Anyways,
after walking up to an employee and asking her what she thought I
should buy, together we googled "The Hunger Games" to see if it was
coming out in paperback anytime soon (it wasn't) and instead found some
fantastic reviews. That was probably what convinced me to buy "The
Hunger Games" and let me tell you - you don't know how glad I am that I
did!

Katniss is a strong character and very intelligent without
ever being a know-it-all. I could easily relate to her, too. I also
really liked Rue. Actually, now that I think about, the only
character(s) I didn't like were the Gamemakers because they killed so
many people and the author didn't introduce them properly into the book.

If
you're trying to convince your parents to buy you this book tell them
it's an ESSENTIAL novel for everyone. I mean really, where else am I
going to find out how to heal a bite stung by a mutant bee or crack a
puzzle without being killed by a bomb?

Go to the bookstore/library now and be prepared to agree with me on this A+ book.

Reader reviewed by Lauren

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a book taking place in the future North America in the nation of Panem. Panem has twelve districts, and each year when the Hunger Games take place, two from each are chosen to compete in an epic event: fighting to the death. The lone winner will get fame and fortune, and everyone else dies.

Katniss lives with her mother and younger sister (her father died in a mining accident). When her little sister gets nominated, she takes her place and leaves the 12th and poorest district to a futuristic city with more luxeries than she could imagine. The other competitor from her district's name is Peeta, and the two weren't ever really friends, but they get along.

When the Games finally begin, Katniss is on her own against 23 other girls and boys who are all striving for the same thing: to survive. Groups from higher level districts team up for the beginning, and somehow Peeta gets in, working along side them. However, Katniss learns that it's all an act when he saves her life later on.

Katniss and Peeta's trainer can send them helpful items if need be. Because of this he has some leverage over what he wants the pair to do, and he wants them to act like they're in love with each other. Katniss and Peeta act well, working as a team when a sudden rule states that you can work with your district teammate. The problem is that Peeta is mortally wounded.

This book is very well constructed and completly original. I'd reccomend it to absolutly everyone!

Reader reviewed by Amy

Set in the future two teens from each "division" are selected to participate in The Hunger Games annually.  Rules are only one teen comes out alive in this game.  Take a trip into the Hunger Game and participate in all the deadly action sure to keep you flipping pages.  Who wins?  Read to find out!