Hungry?

I started re-reading THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins in part because I want to read all three books in the series again before CATCHING FIRE comes out in the theater later this year.  I also started re-reading it because Samuel decided he wanted to read it--for the first time.  I was surprised that he wanted to read it, but I didn't fight it.  He is 12 and, based on what I understand about the intended audience for the series, he's at the perfect age to read it.  I like to know what he's reading, though.  If I hadn't read it before, I would now.  As it is, this time I'm reading it partly for me and partly so I can talk to him about it.  Since he saw the first movie, though, he doesn't have too many questions or comments about it.

I have to say that this is NOT an easy book (series) to read.  It's violent.  It's filled with sadness and death.  One of my favorite characters is drunk more often than not.  Another of my favorite characters becomes a drug addict as the series progresses.  There's romance.  There's even a love triangle.  A girl who's confused.  Two boys who each knows exactly what he wants:  the same girl.  There are family dynamics.  And, everyone's favorite, politics.

What's not to love???

Yeah.  I think that as long as we read stories like this with the reminder that it only takes one person to make a difference--to encourage change, then THE HUNGER GAMES (and the whole series) is amazing and should be read by all.  But if we're reading it because it's bloody, gory, and violent--then we need to stand back and re-evaluate our priorities.

*first read THE HUNGER GAMES, February 27, 2012