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Book Summary and Reviews of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

  • Critics' Consensus (3):
  • Readers' Rating (23):
  • Published:
  • Sep 2008, 384 pages
  • Rate this book

About this book

Book Summary

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.

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Reviews

Media Reviews



BookBrowse Review by Amy Reading If you are reading this review, chances are that you're wondering if the Hunger Games trilogy lives up to the hype. Yes. A thousand times yes. All you need to do is read the first few pages of The Hunger Games to verify this. You'll be pulled in and under. You'll set aside anything else you've been reading. You'll shirk your duties at work. You'll start reading under the table at dinnertime. I quickly learned that the only way I could make myself close the covers would be to break off in the middle of a chapter. If I waited until the end, the unbelievable cliffhanger with which Collins closes every single chapter would catch me and pull me back into the book. The only way to read these books is compulsively. Full Review

Others Say
"Starred Review. Because this is the first book in a series, not everything is resolved, and what is left unanswered is the central question. Has she sacrificed too much? We know what she has given up to survive, but not whether the price was too high. Readers will wait eagerly to learn more." - Publishers Weekly

"Starred Review. Populated by three-dimensional characters, this is a superb tale of physical adventure, political suspense, and romance. Grades 9-12." - Booklist

"This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like 'Survivor' and 'American Gladiator'. Grade 7+" - School Library Journal

"This gripping tale explores ever-timely topics - violence-as-entertainment and rule-by-intimidation - and through Katniss holds out the possibility of change." - The Washington Post

"[T]he considerable strength of the novel comes in Collins's convincingly detailed world-building and her memorably complex and fascinating heroine. In fact, by not calling attention to itself, the text disappears in the way a good font does: nothing stands between Katniss and the reader, between Panem and America. This makes for an exhilarating narrative and a future we can fear and believe in, but it also allows us to see the similarities between Katniss's world and ours." - The New York Times

"The suspense of this powerful novel will keep the reader glued to the page long after bedtime." - VOYA

This information about The Hunger Games was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

Write your own reviewwrite your own review

Kendall

Never read anything like this!!!??????
This book was amazing! It was so descriptive, and a thrilling ending topped it off. The captivating chapters took you on a thrilling roller coaster. This is as undoubtedly my favorite book of all time as Katniss is the greatest shot I've ever read about!

John Lee

A Must Read!
This novel starts off with the life of Katniss Everdeen, and gives background about her life in District Twelve. She has a best friend named Gale, and they grew up together providing for their families. It's a rough life in the districts, due to the Capital's demands of the people. Ever since the last rebellion, they have a yearly event called the Hunger Games. This involves 2 tributes from each district to fight to the death in a gladiator styled combat, but have to face many elements such as weather, terrain, and animals.
   In my opinion, I really enjoyed this book. I usually don’t read many books in my life, but the plot in this book is well written. It makes you want to keep reading chapter after chapter, and it’s almost like a movie is playing in your head. The emotional ride the book gives is heart breaking, and will make you give empathy for the characters.
   Some strengths this book has is that there’s 2 more of them after you finish this one. It is also incredibly vivid in imagery, and the plot is easy to follow. The vocabulary isn’t very complicated so any reader will have a great time enjoying this book. Some weaknesses might be that the author might have rushed some parts of the chapters. Also some readers don’t seem to like the ending that well, but I enjoyed it.

Suzanne G.

The best
What can I say? This book is as all others have said. Simply great!

Siera

Reading 110
I feel that the most powerful element in the book The Hunger Games is the compassion and devotion that the main character, Katniss, has for her friends and loved ones. At first you see this just within her family. After the death of her father she takes on full responsibility of her mother and younger sister, always making sure that they are fed and cared for even before herself. When her sister Prim is called as a tribute for the Hunger Games, Katniss steps in to take her place therefore putting her own life at risk. During the Hunger Games one particular bond she forms really shows her compassion and love for her fellow man.



(Edited for plot spoilers)



I thought that the author of The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins, did an amazing job writing this book. I would absolutely love to read more books written by her. She wrote the book is such a way that you are always hooked and just can’t bring yourself to put the book down. While some books, even good ones, have parts that get dull or boring, you never encounter that in The Hunger Games. While it’s true that you may never be in the scenarios that the characters face, the author still makes the characters relatable. Whether you relate to wanting to protect a younger sibling or you relate more to feeling powerless against the government, somewhere along the lines you will encounter someone or something that you can relate to.



I enjoy that although The Hunger Games is strictly fiction, the author makes the setting seem almost tangible by stating that “the city of Panem was once a place called North America.” I rather have a real life place to reference rather than a completely fabricated place. A lot of the book focuses on the government of Panem and the control they have of all the citizens and, although not nearly as extreme, you can compare it to how many American citizens feel about our own government. This is just one real life issue that the author takes and puts into her book. It’s a heartfelt, sad, but powerful story of a true survivor. Suzanne Collins is truly an excellent author and I fully intend to read more books by her including the next two books of The Hunger Games Trilogy. Not only do I recommend this author to others but even more so this particular book. It touches on family dynamics, on love, on hardships, violence, humanity, rebellion, and anything else you could ask for all in one book.

Peyton

The Hunger Games
Amazing, simply amazing.

Suzanne

and--I'm not a young adult (age range)
I bought this for my granddaughters (10 and 16) and figured I "need to read a few pages in case it might not be suitable." Ho, ho I couldn't put it down and finished it about 6 hours. This is one excellent book. The hype is valid. This story will be a favorite of mine. 'Course, now I have two more books to buy as soon as possible, not only for me, but for granddaughters as well!

...17 more reader reviews

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Author Information

Suzanne Collins Author Biography

In 1991, Suzanne Collins began her professional career writing for children's television. She worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. For preschool viewers, she penned multiple stories for the Emmy-nominated Little Bear and Oswald. She also co-wrote the Rankin/Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby! with her friend, Peter Bakalian, which was nominated for a WGA Award in Animation. Most recently she was the Head Writer for Scholastic Entertainment's Clifford's Puppy Days,and a freelancer on Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! While working on a Kids WB show called Generation O! she met children's author and illustrator James Proimos, who talked her into giving children's books a try.

Thinking one day ...

... Full Biography
Link to Suzanne Collins's Website

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