The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

There is no extent that sixteen year old hunter Katniss Everdeen won’t take to protect her family. This includes taking the place of her twelve year old sister as tribute in the brutal Hunger Games. This annual event put on by the Capitol is meant to punish the people of Panem. Each year all twelve of the districts are forced into sacrificing two tributes, a boy and a girl, to the cruelty of the Games as they are forced into brutal conditions to fight until only one victor remains. Armed with a drunken mentor, her fellow tribute warm natured Peeta, and a promise to her sister to try to win, Katniss accepts her role as a piece in the Capitol’s game. Once in the game, it is realized that her fashion designer Cinna acted prophetically when he adorned her in fiery clothing, because Katniss catches the attention of the Capitol and Panem as a whole. This proves more deadly as the games continue to extend far beyond just the arena. Read as the girl on fire ignites a spark in The Hunger Games. Can it be put out?

Whether you are a young reader or just young at heart, anyone that enjoys a tale of courage and spunk will get engulfed by this novel. The Hunger Games is one of the few books that lives up to the hype that has accumulated about it by the media and movie promotions from Hollywood, but does not disappoint. Set aside a good amount of time to read before beginning because, speaking from experience, the story is so incredibly hard to put down. Read it, read it, read it!!!!

~Ashton H., Class of ’12