This book is a nominee for the Volunteer State Book Award. Megan Lee book-talked it at our November meeting; she was so good, it made me wish she had been my teacher in high school (even though she's about my age!). I had thought about reading it, but Natalie Crowson kicked me into over-drive when she emailed that she wanted to discuss it with me; she'll be here over Christmas, so I knew I had to get on it!
This book is set in the future when the United States has become Panem. Panem is divided into 12 districts. Each district must send 2 tributes to fight in the Hunger Games every year (think Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery"). This is the story of Katniss Everdeen and her role in this year's Hunger Games. This book has a strong female protagonist, lots of action, and brief glimmers of romance (post if you get the allusion!).
Fun Times as a Librarian: I read this book in about a week. I had checked out all 3 of our books (this is a trilogy) and taken them home in preparation for the Thanksgiving break. A boy came in last Wednesday and asked for Catching Fire. I told him it was checked out but I would order it from the public library. I brought the book back the next day. When I took it to him right before his lunch break, he was surrounded by kids leaving gym for Christmas. When I handed it to him, he smiled and said, "YES!" A friend near him said, "Is that the 2nd one?" It was just a great moment in librarian-ing to place the book a student wanted in his hands and see him (and others) excited about it.
My prediction (for Natalie mostly): I think Katniss will end up with Gale and Peeta will end up with Prim. I don't think Peeta really loves Katniss, just the idea of her over all of these years. Think Little Women with the Jo-Laurie-Amy thing. Don't tell me! I'm just tossing my ideas around.
VSBA Vote: This is fabulous! I finally like one better than The Black Box! Still, the black box was great! I'm not sure how I feel about publishers shoving fantasy on us. Repeat after me: You will buy fantasy and vampire stories, you will buy fantasy and vampire stories, you will...
http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/the_hunger_games_69765.htm
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Well, I'm glad you've read the first one. You're going to have to hurry it up though and read the other two before I see you. I will not comment on your predictions except to say that parts of the series are VERY predictable while others are not at all.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed these books, not superb writing but very interesting stories. Please note, however, that I found some of Collins' made up words (tracker-jacker) laughable. Nevertheless, I enjoyed them and I just might read them again.
Do you doubt my determination to get these read before you arrive in December? I scoff as such a lack of faith! I am starting Catching Fire tonight.
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