The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed by Maxim Karpinsky

Fall 2016

REVIEW: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

ISBN#: 9780439023528

THE STORY:

In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen must volunteer as a tribute to protect her sister from the games. She and Peeta Mellark are taken away from their home village, District twelve, and are taken to the Capitol to prepare for the games. The two tributes, are taken through several events to initiate themselves in the games. Throughout several of weeks, Katniss and Peeta train and prepare for the games. When Katniss is tested by the Gamemakers for her skills, she receives is an outstanding score. This makes her a high by the
other twenty-three tributes. When taken into the games, Katniss has to survive and make it back to her hometown so her mother and sister can see her another day. In the arena, Katniss’ special talent was to hunt with her bow. Back at her district, Gale and her would travel outside the boundaries and hunt for animals to bring back food for their families. This gave her an immense advantage if she got her hands on a bow. Peeta on the other hand, was good at weights and throwing heavy objects. Back at his home, he had a different life style. His family were bakers, Peeta never lives through the same life as Katniss because he always had food to eat. At first, Peeta and Katniss struggle to work together for a higher chance of winning the games. But, throughout the story, they build connection and work together to try becoming victorious in the Hunger Games. Only one victor can go back, which creates conflict between the twenty-four tributes, causing brutal fighting and fatal events which “entertains” people at home. The leading suspense builds tension throughout the story, and with the odds getting lower, brings up the question if Katniss Everdeen can win The Hunger Games. (299)

MY OPINION:

After reading the first chapter of the book, there were details and events that allowed me to understand the setting and the background of Katniss Everdeen. The initial conflict arose only after the first chapter, which was a key feature because it helped bring attention to the book if someone who was impatient was reading. Throughout the story, it gave great detail on the surroundings of the scene which really showed what was going on instead of telling. Although, some of the extra unnecessary “showing” could be taken out to make the story shorter and not dragged out. As the story progressed, I felt more like I was there with Katniss and was eager to know what would happen next. If I were to recommend this book to an age group, it would fall under teens and adults. I feel it was a good choice that I chose to read the book, instead of thinking to myself, “I already watched the movie.” The book was in greater detail and more interesting than the movie, and gave a more in-depth understanding on what actually happened. In all, if I were to give this book a rating from one to ten, I  would give it an nine. I could not put the book down when I started reading. The only reason I didn’t give it a ten was because some events were dragged out and could have been compressed. (237)

STUDY QUESTIONS AND VOCABULARY:

FIRST SECTION

1. Why is there an electric fence at the boundaries of each district?

1a. There is a boundary at the border of each district to keep people in and predators out of the district. (pg. 4)

2. How did Katniss and Gale meet?

2a. Katniss and Gale met when they ran into each other while both were hunting in the woods.   (pg. 10)

3. Why did Katniss volunteer as tribute when her sister got picked in the reaping?

3a. Katniss volunteered as tribute when her sister got picked because she cared greatly for her and had a much better chance to win rather than her twelve year old sister. (pg. 26)

4. What did Katniss do to grab the gamemakers attention during her evaluation?

4a. To grab the gamemakers attention, Katniss shot an arrow at an apple in a roasted pigs mouth which sent it pierced to the wall. This startled the gamemakers as they readied for their dinner. (pg. 101)

5. What was Katniss’ Strength for the arena?

5a. Katniss’ strength for the arena was hunting very accurately with bows and arrows. She was also semi good with throwing knives. (pg. 91)

Preposterous (pg. 9)

Insurmountable (pg. 36)

Tureen (pg. 55)

Giddy (pg. 67)

Amiable (pg. 92)

MIDDLE SECTION

6. What did Katniss like the most about the capitol and why?

6a. During the interview Katniss said she liked the lamb stew out of everything there to see. She answered this way because, she did not know what to say and her advisor told her to be honest to the audience. (pg. 127)

7. How many tributes died during the first day of the Hunger Games?

7a. During the first day of the Hunger Games, eleven tributes had died. (pg. 153)

8. What was the first gift Katniss received from her sponsors and why was it sent?

8a. The first sponsor gift Katniss received was burn medicine. This medicine was used to treat the burns she got from the fireballs launched at her. (pg. 188)

9. Who does Katniss end up allying with?

9a. Katniss allies with with Rue, the girl from district eleven. (pg. 200)

10. What song does Katniss sing to Rue as she takes her final breath before dying?

10a. Katniss sang a song she sang to Prim when he was very sick. It was a lullaby, and Rue’s last request. (pg. 234)

longevity (pg. 125)

eludes (pg. 140)

ruminating (pg. 142)

abate (pg. 176)

meticulous (pg. 228)

                               

LAST SECTION

11. Why does Haymitch send Katniss and Peeta a pot of broth?

11a. Haymitch sends Katniss and Peeta a pot of broth because the audience love romance.  Katniss and Peeta “played out” their love and kissed. “One kiss equals on pot of broth.” (pg. 261)

12. Why does Clove try to give Katniss a slow and painful death?

12a.  Clove tries to slowly kill Katniss because, she wants to get revenge on what she did to their food supply. Also, Clove wants to give a show to the audience because she hates Katniss for getting love from the crowd. (pg. 285)

13. Why does Katniss suggest Peeta to take off his boots on the hike to Rue’s old camp?

13a. Katniss suggest Peeta to take of his boots because, Peeta is scaring off all the prey Katniss could be hunting  with his loud footsteps and painful groans. (pg. 314)

14. Why does Cato, the last opponent in the Games, run past Katniss and Peeta to the Cornucopia?

14a. Cato runs past Katniss and Peeta to get away from the pack of mutated muts chasing after him from the woods. (pg. 330)

15. What do Katniss and peeta do when they find out only one person can win The Hunger Games?

15a. Both, Katniss and Peeta count down to eat a lethal dosage of poison berries called “Nightlock”. This way, there would be no victor. (pg. 345)

Scrupulously (pg. 249)

Emanating (pg. 281)

Inexplicably (pg. 286)

Emaciated (pg. 318)

Prominent  (pg. 348)