Annotation #5: YA---The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

Written By: Suzanne Collins 
...And the basis for the new hit movie

Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Science Fiction

Series: The Hunger Games Trilogy

Appeal:

•         Action-packed
•         Bleak, menacing tone
•    Character-driven
•    World-building
•     Strong sense of place
•    Descriptive language
•    Fast-paced, suspensful, & engaging
  Time Period:  Futuristic
  

Setting:

An alternate or future North America known as Panem


Plot Summary:

A twist on the idea of survival of the fittest "The Hunger Games" is a fight to the death on live TV. There are twelve districts surrounding the capital of Panem, and each of the twelve districts has one boy and one girl that are sent as "tributes" to participate in the "Hunger Games," and represent their districts. Once someone turns 12 years old, their name is entered once in the drawing for the "Hunger Games," and an additional entry is added on each year until they turn 18.  

When Katniss Everdeen's 12 year-old sister Prim is the first name drawn, Katniss decides to protect her sister and volunteer for the games. She faces 23 other "tributes," including her fellow male "tribute" from District 12, Peeta Mellark. The two become known as the "star-crossed lovers" of the games, after Peeta publicly announces his love for Katniss during his pre-game interview. However, eventually they will be  pitted not only against bigger, meaner tributes but also against one another. 

Read-Alike Titles from NoveList:

Variant by Robison E. Wells
Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Hole in the Sky by Pete Hautman

Read-Alike Authors from NoveList:

Margaret Peterson Haddix
Jeanne DuPrau
Paolo Bacigalupi

As School library Journal states, "This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like 'Survivor' and 'American Gladiator."  This is perhaps why this has become such a huge "must read" for many because of the similarity to many reality TV shows.