The Hunger Games

  I recently finished the third book in The Hunger Games trilogy.  Written by Suzanne Collins and published on September 14, 2008, this is a futuristic novel that takes place in the cruel country of Panem, built on the remains of North America.  Panem houses 12 disctricts.  The 13th was destroyed during an uprising 74 years before the story.  To create fear in the districts and crush all future uprisings, the cruel capitol that controls all of Panem creates the hunger games, where each district must volunteer two children.  The 24 children fight to the death in the hunger games arena until there is only one person left alive. 
            Our story's main character is Katniss Everdeen from the poorest district, district 12.  She is fiesty and a rule breaker, but above all she just wants to protect her family and friends after the tragic death of her father.  That's why everything changes for her when her 12 year old sister is choosen to compete in the games.  Katniss must choose between protecting herself or protecting her sister.
This story can be seen from many different perspectives.  Some people (like me) might find it thrilling and emotional story.  Others might find it gory and distasteful.  It is a bloody, foreboding story, but through it all there are suprises and heartfelt parts that will make you either laugh or cry.  In my opinion, it has all the elements of a perfect story.  I learned that people, even children, can become very dangerous, but that even in such situations, compassion can still be upheld.
  Before you check out the first book, consider your tastes.  Are you deeply opposed to bloodiness?  If so, you may want to think twice.  Do you love accounts of the future?  This may just be your new favorite book. 
              I enjoyed reading this a lot.  I think that checking this story out is definitely worth a try.  Feel free to post a comment if you enjoyed this-or even if you didn't.
       

Discover Yourself in Other Characters

    When reading the book ttyl by Lauren Myracle (also the author of Luv Ya Bunches, a book that I have previously posted on) of the Internet Girls series, I reflected on the characters of Maddie, Angela and Zoe, the three best friends that the book is about. 
    Zoe is the smart one, always getting straight A's.  She's also the good girl, least likely to do something daring or that would possibly get her in trouble.  Angela cares about clothes, makeup and boys; in other words, she is the cliche high school girl.  She's friendly and bubbly and caring.  Maddie is wild.  Shes tough, and she won't let anyone mess with her, or her friends. 
     When I read about these three girls, I thought about my personality.  I couldn't decide which girl I would be.  I'm not constantly worrying about being tough, like Maddie, or afraid to take risks, like Zoe.  Like Maddie, I'm not okay with anyone being mean to my friends, and like Angela, I am caring.  I have a little bit of all of them.  I think that anybody who reads this would feel the same.
     You can learn a lot from books like this.  You can learn about who you are.  You may think that you know your personality, that you know what you're like.  You may be right.  But next time you pick up a book, envision yourself in each character and discover more about what kind of a person you are, and what kind of a person you want to be.