false 2767052 0439023483 9780439023481 25634 9284 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2767052.The_Hunger_Games 153394 Suzanne Collins 52162 16780 5 0 false Wed Sep 02 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Tue Aug 18 10:29:31 -0700 2009 Sat Sep 05 12:47:15 -0700 2009
When Katniss’s sister is selected by lottery to be sent to the Games, Katniss volunteers to take her place. The teenage boy selected from her District is Peeta, the boy who gave her food when her family was starving. Turns out, Peeta has had a crush on Katniss since he was 5 years old. The Gamemakers like the drama the star-crossed lovers angle brings to the games—at first.

It’s hard to imagine such a cruel regime but Collins makes it convincing. The characters make this a compelling read: despite their daily struggle to survive, there is a sense of community in District 12. There is hope that some of the contestants will “find a way to retain their humanity” despite everything the Gamemakers throw at them. There is also hope that some of the contestants will defy the rules of the Games . . . .

I read this book in one sitting . I’m not quite sure how the cameras managed to capture everything the contestants were up to but that is a trivial point. Highly recommended!]]>