The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Christine | Marlboro High School, Grade 9

Rating: *****

The book, "The Hunger Games," written by Suzanne Collins, is an incredible book. The concept is impeccable. It is written in the point of view of Katniss Everdeen, who is a 16-year-old girl, given the responsibility to keep the house in a good shape, due to her mother's helplessness and depression after her husband's death. In this book, kids, ages twelve to eighteen are picked to compete in a game called the Hunger Games. They are not given a choice and have to participate if they are chosen unless someone else volunteers on their behalf. It is designed by the gamemakers, who control it. During the Games, they have to kill each other in order to survive, and the last one standing is crowned victor. Katniss's little sister, Primrose, gets chosen to participate in the Games, but Katniss volunteers instead because of her love for Prim. One female and one male from each district is chosen to compete in the Hunger Games and there can be only one person standing at the end.

I think that all of the information and details in this book are relayed in a very descriptive way. While I was reading it, I felt as if I was personally in the scene, feeling, and witnessing every moment. This book kept me on the edge of my seat through it all and it left me wanting more. I think that Suzanne Collins did a wonderful job writing this book because everything felt so real and it was extremely interesting, from beginning to end.

Xhaiden | High Technology High School, Grade 9

Rating: ****

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a thrilling book about the country of Panem, once known as North America. It consists of 12 Districts, each with their own purpose, and the corrupt Capital that rules over them. Every year, a boy and a girl from each of the Districts are selected to enter the Hunger Games: a brutal event where children are forced to kill other children for the entertainment of others. 16-year-old Katniss steps up to replace her younger sister in the Games, but the chances she will survive the ordeal are slim. In her District, District 12, the Games are regarded as a death sentence. In fact, during the 73 years since the Games began, only one District 12 child has won. The other 145? Killed. In this tale, Katniss fights for survival, love, and freedom, but it's hard to imagine she can get them in the cruel world she lives in.

This novel is a great read for teens and adults. It’s action-packed and suspenseful, while still managing to maintain themes of friendship and love. The author expertly crafted every character and their relations with one another. Even with all the surprises, twists, and turns, the author makes sure that everything is reasonable, and that certain confusing actions can be explained with some new revelations. I really appreciated how this novel takes place somewhere we can relate to, North America, rather than a setting like a far away planet, because this way, we can actually visualize the story as something possible. It gives the book an air of realism, and makes us think that our world could actually become this corrupt, otherworldly place after some time. I enjoyed reading this story, and I just can't wait to read the second book in the trilogy, Catching Fire.

Ansh | Manalapan High School, Grade 10

Rating: ****

"The Hunger Games," written by Suzanne Collins is a riveting book that will keep you at the edge of your chair. The story is told by a 16-year-old girl who is forced to work hard each day as the responsibilities of the house had fallen onto her shoulders. The story follows the vicelike grip the Capitol has over the 12 Districts, and the method of reminder the Capitol has to make sure the people know the Capitol has complete control over each person. Each District had to offer two tributes, one girl and one boy to fight each other to the death in an arena that was televised to everyone. Katniss loves her family and already made great sacrifices for them, and when the time came to help keep her family alive, she didn't disappoint. In the lottery to pick which girl would go to the games, Katniss's sister Primrose was chosen. Katniss knew Primrose would never make it out alive, and did not want this responsibility to fall upon her, so she volunteered to take her place and fight. The story follows her journey of fighting and survival, and she is left fighting for her life until the very end of the book, against various foes.

The book was entertaining and in-depth. The moments made you feel like you are living the book out, and you are Katniss Everdeen fighting for your life. It's hard to put the book down after starting, and as the series continues, I hope to find the same writing style and storytelling from Suzanne Collins and hope the entire series leaves a similar reaction as the first book has.