The young adult librarians from Dragon Con are my heroes. Every year, I write down their recommendations, and every year, the books are golden. This year, they recommended The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I am sorry that I didn't read it in September; if I had, I could have had Katniss and Haymitch etched into my head for 3 extra months.
The book takes place in a dystopic setting; a totalitarian government rules over a prosperous capital city and 12 miserably poor and oppressed districts. Katniss, the heroine of the story, is a girl who supports her mother and sister with her illegal hunting and gathering. Every year, 2 teens from each district are chosen to fight in gladiator style games for the entertainment of the capital city. The book follows Katniss to the games.
I am not usually a fan of dystopic novels, but I liked this one a lot. The darkness is balanced by the wonderful and heroic characters in the novel. Unlike some young adult novels, the characters are well-drawn and powerful, and though there is teen romance, it isn't the center of the story.
Katniss herself is a survivor, a tough kid who can do what needs to be done, but we can love her because she is compassionate and her hard life has not destroyed her sweetness or her desire to do the right thing. Her trainer, Haymitch, is a wonderful character as well - not so lovable and innocent as Katniss, but rich and a little mysterious.
The plot of the story is engaging, and there are twists and turns throughout the novel. I couldn't figure out how on earth the author was going to resolve the story in a way that might satisfy me, but she did (and in a believable and powerful way). The book is the first in a series, but the novel comes to a satisfying conclusion. I don't like books that leave you hanging completely. This one leaves some larger issues about the society and the characters open but closes up the specific plot of the Hunger Games themselves.
The second my last paper is turned in this week, I am going to get the other books in the series. The Hunger Games will definitely go on my constant reread shelf.
