Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games

Book 20 has already been read. Book 20-A, as well (being the sequel to book 20). Book 20-B - the conclusion of this compelling trilogy is silently waiting for me at the public library on the hold shelf, a sticky note with my name plastered to its cover.

That, in and of itself should be enough of a statement. However, I embrace superfluous verboseness. Suzanne Collins has created in her Hunger Games trilogy a violent and gripping world where teenagers must fight to the death each year. When Katniss' sister, Prim hears her name drawn to compete in the annual games, there is no question. Katniss will go in her place. What unfolds is more than she ever bargained for...from beginning to end.

And as I've already told you, there are two further novels in the series...so be prepared to sacrifice hours of precious sleep to see what happens next...and still next...on and on until you fall asleep drooling on the pages, your eyes aching from reading for hours on end.

Did I mention, further that this is a Young Adult novel? I had heard the name tossed about and understood the basic concept of The Hunger Games but it wasn't until my niece read it for school that I even picked up a copy. After she'd finished it and my sister in law read it, both were emphatic...it is a must read. They were right.

While I loved this novel (and the sequel) and would love to just leave it at that: "Go read it now!", I also feel the teacher in me wanting to speak out. Having recently read a teeming stack of YA literature for a course, you can find my earlier post on the subject ("Attack of the Young Adult Novel"). I analyzed each book not only for its quality and readability but also for its controversial topics or things that just make us "grown ups" roll our eyes at best and cringe or shout "OMG!" at worst. So here's my personal (non-mother, teacher) reaction to The Hunger Games. Go. Read. It. Now.

Many YA Lit options are well-written but also teeming with things parents and teachers often have to avoid (or wish they could), including teen drug use, sexuality and other topics that might offend. As a teacher, many of the YA selections I read were followed with, "well, I really enjoyed that but I'm not tenured and I love my job." The Hunger Games - while violent beyond belief is relatively harmless. The only areas I can see to complain about are the violence and the rebellion against authority. No harsh language and (thankfully) no sex - although sexuality is not completely void from the novel, because what hormonal teenager would believe other teens weren't at least thinking about a little smooching? But it's safe enough for fearful teachers (eh-hem) to be able to introduce the novel without much fear of helicopter parents calling it "trash".

Well, to make a long blog short (too late!), GO READ IT NOW.