The Hunger Games

If you haven't yet gotten your hands on this novel, you simply must! I bought four copies of Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games for my classroom this year and could not keep them on my shelves. Everyone, even my reluctant readers, gave the book high remarks. I was finally able to read it in May, once my students returned my books for the year, and it definitely lived up to the hype.

The story takes place in Panem, which is divided into 12 districts and ruled with an iron fist by the Capitol. And to make sure no one questions their authority, the Capitol holds the annual Hunger Games, which sends one boy and one girl from each district to fight to the death... literally. The winner of The Games, not only spares his or her life, but also brings food to his or her struggling district for the next year. And just for fun, The Games are televised for all to see - think Roman gladiators on reality tv.

This year, Katniss Everdeen has volunteered to take her sister's place in The Games along side Peeta, the baker's son. She knows that the livelihood of her mother and sister depend on her survival and must use every resource to her advantage to do so. It soon becomes clear, though, that she must not only win the games but also the approval of her audience. She tries balance what is necessary for survival and the need to keep her humanity, but can she do both?

If you enjoy reading books on the computer, here's an electronic copy to read.