The Hunger Games

Kateri Bean
The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Length: 374 pages
Rate 10 out of 10!

The Hunger Games is new series of books that’s becoming more and more popular. When I first heard about them I honestly thought they were a little weird, but I decided to give them a shot. I’m really glad I did--they are by far the most compelling, incredible, series of books I’ve ever read.
The story is set in future North America, only it’s nothing like it is now. Instead of a happy, futuristic, world we sometimes imagine, it’s a complete disaster. There are no countries, only twelve districts which are ruled by the Capitol, which (long story short) is evil and goes out of the way to make life miserable for all the people living in the districts.
The Capitol is a genius for making life miserable. The people have next to nothing to eat, live in constant fear of being arrested by breaking one of the millions of silly laws, and work themselves to death. But that’s not the worst thing: the worst thing is that every year each of the districts must send one boy and one girl to the Capitol. These twenty-four kids are thrown into an arena where they must fight to the death until only one remains alive. This one kid is hailed the victor, is showered with gifts, their district gets extra food and their family gets a new house and will never have to work again. But, to gain this, twenty-three innocent kids must die at the hands of other innocent kids. The kids are picked randomly, like lottery numbers, but anyone can volunteer to take another kid’s place. This disgusting event is known as The Hunger Games and it is broadcast on television for entertainment in the Capitol and as a punishment back in the districts. (Everyone is forced to watch the games; if they don’t, they’ll be arrested and most likely die.)
Enter Katniss Everdeen. She’s sixteen and every day is a battle for survival for her and her family. She’s from district 12, the poorest and least respected of all of the districts. Her father died when she was little, leaving her mother in such a deep state of shock and grieving that she couldn’t care for Katniss or her little sister, Prim. So it was up to Katniss to keep the family from starving to death. Katniss doesn’t have anything but her family, and she is willing to do anything to keep them safe, no matter what it will cost her.
With the help of a boy named Gale, who’ll become Katniss’s best friend, and a lot of rule-breaking, Katniss is able to keep her family afloat. Every year she manages to escape having her name drawn and being sent to the Hunger Games. Then Prim becomes old enough to be entered into the games.
Prim’s name gets drawn. And the next thing Katniss knows she’s volunteered herself to take her sister’s place.
But that’s just the very beginning of the incredible story. The boy who’s sent from District 12 is named Peeta, and he and Katniss have a confusing past. But, it’s nothing as confusing as their future will turn out to be.
These books are just as addicting (if not more so) than Harry Potter. Just when you think you’ve got the story figured out, something shocking will happen. Reading these will leave you feeling like you experienced what the characters are going through, which is sometimes really scary.
I think everyone should read this series. They literally have something in them for everyone, and once you start them it’ll be impossible to stop. These books are so much more than just another popular teen series like Twilight; they actually will make you think about things you’ve never thought about before and will completely drag you into the story. (Another good reason to read them is the fact that the movie comes out next summer and it looks really good!) If you liked Harry Potter, Twilight, or The Mortal Instruments Series, chances are you’ll love The Hunger Games, too.