Remember the Greek myth about the Minotaur that lived in King Minos' labyrinth in Crete. Every nine years, seven boys and seven girls were tossed as sacrifices to the minotaur into the labyrinth to see if they could escape, kill the minotaur or be killed by the minotaur. That was the story that influenced the futuristic idea behind the Hunger Games.
Every year, to punish the starving people of Panem (what use to be the USA) for a rebellion against the Capitol, each district must send one boy and one girl (chosen by lottery of 12 to 18 year olds) to battle in the Hunger Games. Twenty four kids go in and only one can survive. Every year the arena is different because the Gamemakers like to make a good "show". The Hunger Games are televised all over Panem, sometimes the only time when the capitol gave its residents electricity other than to electrify the chain link fences that divide up the 12 districts of Pamen. The Hunger Games have children pitted against children and if the Games get to slow, the Gamemakers cause fires, animals and other additions to the arena to stir things up and all everyone can do is watch their loved ones compete. The single victor and its district are rewarded greatly with food, so winning is more than your survival.
I am currently teaching the Hunger Games in my English class. We are at the point where the game is beginning. My students moan that the book is 27 chapters (375 pages) but the games are pulling them in. This book is fast paced and you want to keep reading to find out what happens to everyone in the Games. This book talks about overcoming hard family issues (Katniss' father was killed in a mine accident and mom became a manic depressant, so Katniss has to find ways to feed her family and Gale, her friend is in the same situation) through illegal hunting and gathering wild edibles both families learn to survive until the Hungar Games take Katniss away. Katniss is a strong female personality with great outdoor survival skills (which is shared to the reader). This book reminded me of the books, My Side of the Mountain and Hatchet.
There is a book called the Maze Runner http://www.expandedbooks.com/video/view/598
that looks like a darker version of the Hunger Games.
I highly recommend this book be available in classrooms, its a great read, great storyline and a very awarded. Here is a website that shows how much students love this book. http://www.librarything.com/work/4979986
Scholatic website has lots of background info on this book at:
I read and reviewed the second book, Catching Fire, but don't read that post or Catching Fire's book jacket if you want to read the Hunger Games without spoiling the end.
PS this book has killing in it, but it is not graphic with blood and gore. Junior high and up would find this book engaging.
Mary Beth Hutting
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