Book Review: The Hunger Games

"You don’t forget the face of the person who was your last hope."

Wow. WOW! I read this book within a 24 hour time period! I started last night when Hannah went to sleep, then woke up early to read it, read it all through her nap time and haven't put it down since she went to sleep again.

The last time I read a book straight through was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The premise of this book is a little hard to stomach. In fact, about the first 30 pages of the book I didn't know how much I could handle.

Basically the story revolves around Katniss Everdeen, a poor girl from the poorest section of District 12. The world has been ravaged by natural disaster which has basically destroyed everything (as far as we can tell) and all that is left is a chunk of North America. Years before our story began the country (Panem) was split into thirteen districts which were treated poorly, after an uprising (and the destruction of district 13) the Capitol declared The Hunger Games to serve as a reminder to what happens to rebels. Once a year a boy and a girl from each district are chosen at random to participate in the "games" where the 24 contestants are sent to an arena to battle to the death. There can be only one survivor.

I have been wanting to read this book for a few months now but decided it better wait until the third book came out on August 20th. I bought the books (The Hunger Games and the sequel Catching Fire) last month, planning on waiting, but Adam read the first book and has been begging me to read so we could talk about it.

The characters are easy to love, easy to root for, the situations are dire, yet you feel hope. You feel hate for the Capitol, you wonder how it is all going to end and already I'm dying for August when the third and final installment (Mockingjay) will be released. I'm dying to start Catching Fire but I think I will make myself wait just a little bit...if I can stand it!

Amazingly written, compelling, a literary feast! I loved The Hunger Games. It is what Lord of the Flies SHOULD HAVE BEEN (gosh I hated that book).

Hunger Games

There has been a lot of hype about this book...I started it last night and I'm about 150 pages in. So far it is fantastic. I'm already sucked in and emotionally drawn to the characters. Can't wait to see what happens!

Just like her Mommy!

I love reading! It is one of my favorite things in the world! Getting lost in a story is an amazing place to be! It would make sense then that I would try to pass my love of books on to Hannah. Turns out it was pretty easy to do! She loves her books and her book corner. When we play in her room it is the first place she goes. Isn't she beautiful?

Top 100 Childrens Books of All Time

NYPL children's librarian Betsy Bird is counting down the Top 100 Children's Novels on her blog, Fuse #8. This is the comprised list. Bold indicates I have read the book.

1. Charlotte's Web
2. A Wrinkle in Time
3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
4. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
5. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
6. Holes
7. The Giver
8. The Secret Garden
9. Anne of Green Gables
10. The Phantom Tollbooth
11. The Westing Game
12. The Hobbit
13. Bridge to Terabithia
14. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
15. Because of Winn-Dixie
16. Harriet the Spy
17. Maniac Magee
18. Matilda
19. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
20. Tuck Everlasting
21. The Lightning Thief
22. The Tale of Despereaux
23. Little House in the Big Woods
24. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
25. Little Women
26. Hatchet
27. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
28. A Little Princess
29. The Dark Is Rising
30. Winnie-the-Pooh
31. Half Magic
32. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
33. James and the Giant Peach
34. The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963
35. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
36. Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret
37. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
38. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
39. When You Reach Me
40. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
41. The Witch of Blackbird Pond
42. Little House on the Prairie
43. Ramona the Pest
44. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
45. The Golden Compass
46. Where the Red Fern Grows
47. Bud, Not Buddy
48. The Penderwicks
49. Frindle
50. Island of the Blue Dolphins
51. The Saturdays
52. The Invention of Hugo Cabret
53. The Wind in the Willows
54. The BFG
55. The Great Gilly Hopkins
56. Number the Stars
57. Ramona Quimby, Age 8
58. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
59. Inkheart
60. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
61. Stargirl
62. The Secret of the Old Clock
63. Gone-Away Lake
64. A Long Way from Chicago
65. Ballet Shoes
66. Henry Huggins
67. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
68. Walk Two Moons
69. The Mysterious Benedict Society
70. Betsy-Tacy
71. The Bad Beginning
72. My Father's Dragon
73. My Side of the Mountain
74. The Borrowers
75. Love That Dog
76. Out of the Dust
77. The City of Ember
78. Johnny Tremain
79. All-of-a-Kind Family
80. The Graveyard Book
81. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
82. The Book of Three
83. The Thief
84. The Little White Horse
85. On the Banks of Plum Creek
86. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
87. The View from Saturday
88. The High King
89. Ramona and Her Father
90. Sarah, Plain and Tall
91. Sideways Stories from the Wayside School
92. Ella Enchanted
93. Caddie Woodlawn
94. Swallows and Amazons
95. Pippi Longstocking
96. The Witches
97. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
98. Children of Green Knowe
99. The Indian in the Cupboard
100. The Egypt Game

I have only read 43 on the list thanks in part to my Dad who read many of them to me, School Teachers who forced me to read the books, and great recommendations. I guess I have 67 to go.