1. The Hunger Games
Grade 7 Up -In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed,
weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided
into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each
district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment,
part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted
throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors,
literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister,
Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers
to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who
seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against
bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Collins's
characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships
in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book
will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like 'Survivor' and
'American Gladiator.' Book one of a planned trilogy
2. Catching Fire
Reviewers were happy to report that the Hunger Games trilogy is alive and well, and all
looked forward to the third book in the series after this one's stunning conclusion. But
they disagreed over whether Catching Fire was as good as the original book Hunger Games
or should be viewed as somewhat of a "sophomore slump." Several critics who remained
unconvinced by Katniss's romantic dilemma made unfavorable comparisons to the human-
vampire-werewolf love triangle in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. But most reviewers
felt that Catching Fire was still a thrill because Collins replicated her initial success
at balancing action, violence, and heroism in a way that will enthrall young readers
without giving them (too many) nightmares.
3. Mockingjay
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that
she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is
angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss.
And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either.
Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and
haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking
The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.
Download File Size:2.61 MB
|
