Hunger Games

The past few days I have been reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. When I first heard about this book I wasn't really sure I wanted to read it. I am not a big fantasy person, even though I do like Harry Potter and anything written by Madeleine L'Engle. Then I read review after review about the Hunger Games, and being the person who doesn't like to read a book that is getting a ton of press, still wasn't interested. For whatever reason I decided to check it out anyway, and even started to read it. I admit I wasn't instantly hooked, but reminded myself that I should at least give it a try. It is a great book. My only disappointment is that it doesn't really end and I am waiting for a second installment.
How good is Hunger Games? Well, in my opinion, it is as good as The Giver by Lois Lowry. The fact that both are fantasy is the only other real similarity I can find. Hunger Games is set in the future. Katniss Everdeen is a young woman forced to hunt for food to keep her family (mother and sister) alive. The District that she lives in is quite poor and her father has died. Each year there is a drawing and two people are chosen to represent their district in The Hunger Games. Katniss's sister, Prim, is selected, but Katniss takes her place. The other representative is Peeta, a male classmate of Katniss's. They are taken to the Capitol and readied for the Hunger Games where they and twenty two other competitors will fight til their death, literally.

There is a lot of suspense in this novel and I felt transported to Katniss and Peeta's world. The story is more for middle school than elementary students and should keep even reluctant readers interested. I admit I was reading quickly by the end to see how things would be resolved. I am glad I decided to pick this book up and happily recommend it to anyone.