Summary from goodreads: Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun…
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, the shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh 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 regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s 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.
I was hesitant about reading this book for well over a year because I was so certain I would not like it. It did not seem like “my kind” of book. But I read a number of reviews by book reviewers that I trusted, and I figured the time had come to read it when I happened to win a copy of it. And with the upcoming film, I knew it was now or never.
From the very beginning, I was drawn into this book like I very rarely am drawn into books. The writing style was impeccable, and the characters were incredibly well-crafted. It was also frightening when I realized that what was being spoken of could actually happen some time in the future.
I found that I repeatedly forgot where I was as I read (even when I was subbing in a classroom of students), and all I wanted to do was read this book and nothing else. I found myself thinking about the main characters and wanting to know what would happen in the story. I wanted to believe that the author would not allow the unthinkable to happen, but I wasn’t sure. And I will tell you that the book does not end how you would like it to end, but it ends the way it should. If the author had chosen to end it differently, I don’t think I would even be considering reading another book in the series. I wouldn’t even think about it being part of a series.
I am absolutely “taken” with Suzanne Collins. She is one of the best authors I have read in recent times. I appreciate the fact that there was almost no profanity of any kind (only one word that I recall, and it was not even that bad). There is no sex (go figure–a YA book with no sex!). And she knows exactly how to keep you guessing. Although the science fiction, futuristic elements are there, everything makes sense. You aren’t left wondering why thus and such happened–you know why! The action was mesmerizing, and the unexpected love story was absolute genius! She even has a sense of humor that comes out at exactly the right time.
This is a book that I can unequivocally recommend to anyone who enjoys reading fiction. It makes no difference if you like historical fiction, romance, science fiction, action, or an genre! This should be at the top of your TBR list if you have not read it!
One other thing I would like to add is to thank the author for such a positive message for young people (and everyone)even when dealing with such a dark topic. And the message is resonating with young people. As I read the book, I was asked by so many teenagers about the book. Many had read it and said how much they liked it. It is good to see an author write about a character who stayed true to what she believed and did not forsake her morals. She didn’t let anyone change her! Thank you, Katniss!
ABOUT THE AUTHORIn 1991, Suzanne Collins began her professional career writing for children’s television. She worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. For preschool viewers, she penned multiple stories for the Emmy-nominated Little Bear and Oswald. She also co-wrote the Rankin/Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby! with her friend, Peter Bakalian, which was nominated for a WGA Award in Animation. Most recently she was the Head Writer for Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford’s Puppy Days,and a freelancer on Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! While working on a Kids WB show called Generation O! she met children’s author and illustrator James Proimos, who talked her into giving children’s books a try.
Thinking one day about Alice in Wonderland, she was struck by how pastoral the setting must seem to kids who, like her own, lived in urban surroundings. In New York City, you’re much more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole and, if you do, you’re not going to find a tea party. What you might find…? Well, that’s the story of Gregor the Overlander, the first book in her five-part fantasy/war series, The Underland Chronicles,which became a New York Times bestseller. It has been sold into 21 foreign territories.
Her next series, The Hunger Games Trilogy, is an international bestseller. The Hunger Games has spent over six years to date on The New York Times bestseller list since publication in September 2008, and has also appeared consistently on USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. It has been sold into 56 territories in 51 languages. In 2010 Collins was named to the TIME 100 list as well as the Entertainment Weekly Entertainers of the Year list.
Lionsgate released a film adaptation of THE HUNGER GAMES on March 23, 2012, directed by Gary Ross who also shared screenplay credit with Suzanne and Billy Ray. It broke multiple box office records and went on to become the 14th highest-grossing North American release of all time on its way to generating nearly $700 million at the worldwide box office. Lionsgate released the second installment THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE worldwide on November 22, 2013, directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Simon Beaufoy and Michael DeBruyn and bringing back stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Willow Shields, Paula Malcomson, Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci and Lenny Kravitz along with new cast members Philip Seymour Hoffman, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone and Jeffrey Wright. It was the highest-grossing domestic box office release of 2013 and the 10th highest-grossing domestic release of all time. Lionsgate will release THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1 on November 21, 2014 and THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 on November 20, 2015, also directed by Lawrence. All four films are being produced by Nina Jacobson of Color Force and Jon Kilik.
In September 2013, Suzanne released a critically acclaimed autobiographical picture book, YEAR OF THE JUNGLE, illustrated by James Proimos. It deals with the year she was six and her father was deployed to Viet Nam. It has been sold into 12 territories in 11 languages. Her first picture book, WHEN CHARLIE MCBUTTON LOST POWER, about a boy obsessed with computer games, was illustrated by Mike Lester and came out in 2005. It has been sold into 4 foreign territories.
Her books have sold over 100 million copies worldwide.
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