Book Recommendation: The Hunger Games

[whodunit]

I just started reading a book that has a survivalist/apocalyptic type theme. It's called the Hunger Games.

***SPOILER ALERT***






















Basically, what used to be North America is now called "Panem", which consists of the "Capitol" (in what used to be called the Rockies), surrounded by 12 districts that comprise areas such as what used to be Appalachia, etc. The districts vary in socio-economic ways but all are fenced in and the people are kept in poverty.

There used to be a 13th district before it was destroyed during a rebellion. It is now nothing but smoking ruins.

To teach the districts a lesson, the Capitol established the Hunger Games.

Once a child turns 12 years of age and every year after their name is entered into a lottery. Except, anyone can increase their rations by entering every month. So, in effect, the poorest have the greatest chance of being selected.

The selection process is called "the reaping". Two names are drawn (a boy and a girl) from each district and they are sent to the Capitol to be gussied up and trained.

After all kinds of televised fanfare, they are released into what amounts to a huge arena where they fight to the last person standing. The arena is always different and could encompass 100s of square miles including desert, forest, mountains, etc.

At the start they can get weapons and supplies, but the best ones are closer into the middle of what they call "the Cornucopia", so you risk having to fight others for them and possibly being killed right away.

The entire games are broadcast with updates and commentary. Of course, there is also betting. Also, contestants (called "Tributes") can gain sponsors who might air drop needed supplies to make things interesting.

The winner of the games is set for life and becomes a mentor for future Tributes.

In this story, a poor girl, who has many entries, volunteers when her little sister, who has few entries, is suddenly "reaped".

I hear they are making a movie based on the book.

[Space Cowboy]

The Hunger Games are actually the first of a trilogy. I liked the series very much. I was also happy to hear that many of the schools use it as one of their "English Lit" books.

SC

[stamphappy]

My son is in 5th grade and it was used this year in his classroom. It was read as a 'read aloud' by the teacher with the children then discussing it.

[whiskeylivewire]

It's won awards and is a very good series for kids and adults. I've read the series twice now. Actually, there are quite a few books on either survival issues or the problems with eutopia in the Young Adult genre.

Also, Dean Koontz's books have had a definite "prepper" aspect lately. "Relentless" is about a shadow gov't group gone crazy...but it also has a family that built a home under their home. I want one! His 4th book in his Frankenstein series has a very funny scene with everyone attending a church has a gun...and knows how to use it.

Another kids series with the books entitled Gone, Hunger and Lies(can't remember the author) is a survivalist type and pretty good.

I have wondered why so many YA genre books are either post apocolyptic or survivalist of some kind. My dad had me read "Alas, Babylon" when I was in high school-he was sneaky about getting me to think about prepping!

[bourbonred]

My teens are big readers, esp of fantasy/ sci fi. I always try to read what they read and they brought home the HG trilogy. It's a great read. I wouldn't reccommend it for 5th graders, but it kept me guessing in the story line. There are great benefits to reading your kids books--you know what they are reading and learning (some of the content of "teen" books are wayyyy over the line!), you can discuss topics, plots and themes together, and the books come to you...you don't have to go get them.

[rod&chas]

Great reads...all three of them. Keeps you guessing til the end.

[Becka03]

Love LOVE LOVE this series!

[whodunit]

Yeah, I didn't realize it was a trilogy. I will definitely be reading the others, too.

[bluemoonluck]

I read the books....couldn't put them down once I started, actually. Very well written and can't recommend them enough.

[Strange Bear]

Michael Grant is the author of Gone.
Another series is by Beth Pfeffer : Life as we knew it. The Dead and the Gone. This world we live in.

[shannsmom]

I read the first 2 books of the Hunger Games last year and loaned them out at work, everyone was waiting with baited breath for the third book to be released. Nobody at work even got the prepper aspect of them, they just enjoyed a good read! The Beth Pfeffer series I got for Christmas...The World We Live In was the first time my little girl was able to go shopping for me with her own money she earned herself...so I would like it anyway, but they are also a great read.
It's of interest that so much "young adult" fiction is based on a dystopia rather than the eutopia most books have been set in for years....maybe folks are waking up after all. Nah, probably not, but it gives me great things to read!

[silverbackMP]

I read a book many years ago (20 years maybe? I think I was in Junior High) about a woman that was living in an undergound complex. They had been living in the complex for generations--I believe since a global nuclear war.

Anyway, she discovers that complex had been leeking outside air into it for many years and eventually the group leaves the compound and meets up with other people who had been living in the wilds since the war ala hunter/gatherer. Anyone have any idea of what this book/series is?

[whodunit]

I am finishing the last chapter tonight and hopefully DW picked up book two for at the library. Whoever mentioned twists and turns wasn't kidding!

[Leister Square]

I read a story in maybe 6th grade sort of like the book the OP talked about. It was one of those SRT program things where you are asked to read a story and then answer comprehension questions. So the story went that in the future, overpopulation was really bad and the powers that be held a lottery every month for boys and girls. The lucky winners got to go to an amusement park. Except they would die of some freak accident there, and that's how they controlled population. Seems most people knew, or at least the parents knew, but not the kids that were chosen for this special day. I remember being totally traumatized by this for years--heck I still remember it.

[whodunit]

Finished "Catching Fire" a week agao and am currently read "Mockingjay". I'm still hooked. I wish there were more in the series.

One thing that surprised me is that District 13 doesn't sound any better than living under the Capitol's regime.

[Calico Katie]

Originally Posted by silverbackMP

I read a book many years ago (20 years maybe? I think I was in Junior High) about a woman that was living in an undergound complex. They had been living in the complex for generations--I believe since a global nuclear war.

Anyway, she discovers that complex had been leeking outside air into it for many years and eventually the group leaves the compound and meets up with other people who had been living in the wilds since the war ala hunter/gatherer. Anyone have any idea of what this book/series is?

Sounds a lot like "City of Ember", a trilogy.
http://www.amazon.com/City-Ember-Fir.../dp/0375822747

ETA: looks like there were actually four books in the series. I liked the first one but was less interested in the others.

[Wags]

I just picked this up at the Library this morning.

Last week I read "Life As We Knew It" but didn't realize it was part of a series. I'll have to check and see if my library has the rest of them.

[Becka03]

Woody Harelson was just cast as Haymitch - for anyone interested in the movies- coming out in March!
I Loved Loved Loved this series!

[coalroadcabin]

Sorry to revive a thread that's several months old but -

I just finished all three books in this series and absolutely loved them! YA fiction usually doesn't hold my interest but this trilogy was really good.


BTW, wiskeylivewire - I want that bunker too!!!

[Freya]

Info in IMDb on the movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/


Release date set for March 23rd, 2012. There are pics and trailers.