The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
By Suzanne Collins
Fiction/Young Adult
Released September 1, 2009
$8.99 or $4.69 Kindle http://www.amazon.com/

The "Hunger Games" was recommended  (and lent) to me by a good friend and teacher. She mentioned that when she read this story to her class they were begging her to keep going until the very last minute of class time! When she passed it on to me she said "You may not like it. It's young adult and kinda sci-fi. Certainly not the romance you usually read." I'm beginning to realize some of my favorite books lately have been books that aren't really my "type". Hands down "Hunger Games" is  my favorite book of the year (and favorite book that I don't own a copy of-gasp!).
The story of 16 year-old Katniss Everdeen is completely captivating. You also come to meet and love her long-time friend Gale and her fellow District representative Peeta. I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!  It's set in the country of Panem. A nation divided into 12 districts-each a separate entity from the other. The people of each district do not co-mingle or travel. It's the law. They are recognized by their number and industry. Example: District 12- Farming. There is a coal district etc...and the Capitol. That is where the elite live. They produce nothing but live off of all of the other districts. The celebrities, media. very wealthy, decision makers, and politicians live there. The most powerful? President Snow. You may also call him Mr. Dictator.  Every year Panem holds a live  televised event called "The Hunger Games". Here is where the story begins. Each district participates in this annual event meant to remind the citizens of a time in the past when they went hungry (but also led a life of freedom and democracy). All 12 to 18 year olds in each district are entered into a lottery. Two names are drawn per district; a boy and girl. Those two are sent off to the heroic adventure in the Capitol that is the Hunger Games. It is also their most certain demise-as only one person can win the game and leave alive.
When reading this book, you don't realize that you are also getting a little sneak history lesson (think dictatorships, revolutions and Hitler). Throw in this dark, hard world and all of the devices created by Suzanne Collins and you have a place that feels like "Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome" meets the "Terminator" meets "Little House on the Prairie". This book created an instant cult following; much like J.K. Rowling did for Harry Potter. Readers young and old alike attended midnight book signings for the sequels, "Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay". Fans walked around wearing Team Peeta or Team Gale t-shirts.
I talked about this book to anyone who would listen. I begged my daughters to read it.
In the end- this book is like nothing I have ever read before. It even had a little romance in it;) Katniss Everdeen reminds us that one person really can change the world.
Do I recommend it: Yes!
But: Be warned there is quite a bit of violence.
Bonus material: There is a movie coming out soon!Go to www.suzannecollinsbooks.com to find out more about the other books in the series and the movie featuring Woody Harrelson.