The Hunger Games, Book 1

As many books as I read in a given year, it’s actually uncommon for me to re-read anything. I first read this series about 8 years ago, but I knew even then that it was a series I’d eventually want to share with my kids. During our most recent snow days, we finally had the chance to start it!

We chose to enjoy this book by listening to it on audio while playing LEGO, all of our bricks strewn over a bedsheet atop our pool table. The kids had very little clue about what to expect in this series, save for what small bits I told them in the beginning (yes, about kids being forced to fight to the death).

My son (12) enjoys playing Minecraft whenever he’s allowed screentime, and I recently saw an online battle he played, which looked eerily similar to the full Hunger Games concept. Characters are dropped into an arena (sometimes as teams, often as individuals) where a cache of weapons sits in the center. Characters can choose to run and grab weapons and armor from the cache, or they can run into the arena and hide, hoping to find weapons elsewhere. It’s last man (or team) standing. As I watched him play one day, I knew he’d love listening to this story.

Why Read This with My Kids?

At least for starters, I need to discuss a bit about the morality of this tale. The book is violent, and it’s ultimately about rebellion and resistance to a corrupt government. It’s emotional and sad, dark and disturbing. It’s all of those things, so why am I letting my kids (11 and 12) listen to it?

Eight years ago, when I reviewed the series as a whole, I reserved some harsh words for the Suzanne Collins about how she allowed her reluctant hero, Katniss Everdeen, to become a moral tragedy in the end, and how she allowed Evil one swipe too many (by allowing Prim to die unnecessarily). I still feel that way about the series (and I give the movie producers credit for making necessary changes in the end), but since I know going in about these moral missteps (missteps that clearly identify the author’s worldview, at least at the time of writing), I am thus better prepared to discuss them with my kids.

I know that this story (and especially its ending) will allow for teaching moments we might not get otherwise, allowing us the opportunity to discuss frankly Good vs. Evil, creativity, authorial license, worldview, etc. You might not think that kids this age would care about such things, but honestly, have you sat down and chatted with middle-schoolers before? You’d be surprised what they’re processing as they listen and read. Parents and teachers have a great opportunity (and responsibility!) to discuss serious life issues with kids at this age, but we have to enter such conversations prepared.

So, all that to say, I’ve got no problem enjoying this series once again, this time with my kids. I know I’m ready for it.

My Kids’ Response

Following this first book, I asked my son what he thought of it. He liked it overall, but, in his words: “About 40% of the book is about kissing.” I told him, “So that means romance can be exciting!” He responded: “No it’s not. It would have been more exciting if they had killed each other at the end instead of hugged.” I just had to laugh at that response. Maybe when he’s 13 he’ll feel differently.

I also asked my kids if they could predict what would happen in Book 2: Catching Fire, and they had some interesting ideas—probably the same ideas I had after reading it the first time. My daughter thought: “Maybe Peetah and Katniss get married and have kids who have to go into the Games.” I then asked what might happen Book 3: Mockingjay, and she said: “Maybe they’d have kids who have to do the same, and on and on.” There was no thought about “who the real enemy is,” so I think they’ll be surprised by what happens next.

I’m really enjoying our re-read of this excellent series. And I’m also looking forward to watching the movies again, this time with my kids beside me!

©2024 E.T.

Read More Dystopian and Post-Apocalyptic Novels:

• The Last New Yorkers by George Allen England (1911)
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932)
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953)
• The Last Ship by William Brinkley (1988)
• Minority Report and Other Stories by Philip K. Dick (2004)
• The Road by Cormac McCarthy (2006)
• The Hunger Games (series) by Suzanne Collins (2008)
• Son of Heaven (series) by David Wingrove (2011)
• Contamination (series) by T.W. Piperbrook (2013)
• Yellowstone (series) by Bobby Akart (2018)
• The Giver by Lois Lowry, adapted by P. Craig Russell (2019)
• Fairy Godparents: Raising a Fairy Child by Indahari Setyo (2020)