Journal Entry 1 by crimson-tide from Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Book One of The Hunger Games Trilogy.

From School Library Journal:
In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing.


I found The Hunger Games an utterly compelling read. Well written and well paced, with great action and full of suspense. The characterisation was adequate but could have been better. The concept is horrifying and yes, it is pretty brutal in parts, but it does touch on a number of interesting topics that teens would do well to think about; reality tv, the role of the media, responsibility to oneself and others, power structures in society etc. At the end I just wanted more . . .

 

Journal Entry 2 by crimson-tide at Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Monday, June 06, 2011

Chosen by elsi from the Fantasy and Sci-Fi VBB. 

Journal Entry 3 by crimson-tide at Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Released 11 mos ago (6/7/2011 UTC) at Balingup, Western Australia Australia

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Posted off to elsi today (airmail).
Enjoy! :-) 

Journal Entry 4 by elsi at Sanger, Texas USA on Thursday, June 16, 2011

Arrived today -- that was quick! There has been so much hype around this series, so I'm very excited to receive this book and get started reading it.