By Kathy Pillatzki
Assistant Director
Henry County Library System 

  There’s been a lot of buzz about the March release of the first movie in the Hunger Games trilogy. Fans of the books are giddy with anticipation, leaving everyone else to wonder, “What’s the big deal?”

  The trilogy by Suzanne Collins began in 2008 with the publication of Hunger Games. (True confession: at the time I was serving on the Georgia Peach Award committee, and this was on my list of nominees to read. I was reluctant to tackle it, because I thought it was about eating disorders and I was in no mood for another teen “problem” novel. Lesson learned: you can’t judge a book by its title, either.)

  Hunger Games is set in a not-too-distant future in Panem, a dystopian version of the United States. It is similar enough to our current world to be recognizable, which makes the differences all the more chilling. Weakened by drought, famine and war, the country collapsed and was later reorganized as twelve districts, ruled with an iron fist from a Capitol high in the Rockies. The Capitol controls all resources, and poorer districts live in third-world conditions while favored districts enjoy luxuries and ample provisions.

  At some point the citizens rebelled, but the revolution was crushed. As a reminder of the Capital’s total dominance, and of the consequences of disobedience, the government stages an annual spectacle called the Hunger Games. Each district must send two teenagers as “tributes” to compete in a bloody battle to the death. The last tribute standing wins wealth for his or her family, and glory – and extra provisions – for the district.

  From the start, the deck is stacked against tributes from the poorer districts, whose time and energy is absorbed by mere survival. They have no resources for training, unlike those from the affluent districts who spend their lives preparing for battle and honing special combat skills. Into this arena, the destitute District 12 sends Katniss Everdeen.

  Her only skill is with a bow and arrow, since she has spent most of her life poaching game to support her widowed mother and younger sister, Prim. When Prim is randomly chosen as the district’s tribute, Katniss knows her small, gentle sister will be easy pickings in combat, and volunteers to go in her place.

  The Games take place in a virtual-reality arena, televised 24/7, and all citizens of Panem are required to watch until only one competitor is left alive. It seems at first that Katniss is on a suicide mission, but through cleverness, focus, and smart alliances, she proves herself a worthy competitor.

  Still, the injustice and brutality of the Games outrage Katniss, as well as the ordinary citizens of Panem. While most are powerless against the Capitol, Katniss risks all to stage a rebellion from within the arena.

  Book two, Catching Fire, was published in 2009, followed by the conclusion, Mockingjay, in 2010.

  In all three books, the pace and plotting are mesmerizing. The characters are beautifully developed, flaws, strengths, quirks and all. The combination of science fiction, action, suspense, and even a little romance, overlaid with truly thought-provoking social commentary, has something for every reader. Here’s hoping the movie will do it justice.

©Henry County Times, Inc.