| Katniss Everdeen remembers what her father taught her. Hunt, hide, and don’t get caught. She’s been caring for her small family ever since he died in a mining accident and her mother fell into a catatonic depression. But no district child in Panem can hide from the Reaping, and this year her little sister Prim will be putting her name into the lottery along with Katniss’s own numerous slips, all for the risk of being chosen for the annual Hunger Games, the Capitol’s constant and terrifying reminder of what happens when you rebel against those in power. 24 girls and boys, all under 18, go into the arena, and only one comes out. And when Prim’s name is picked, Katniss has no other choice: She must take her sister’s place in the arena, fight to survive, and maybe fan the sparks of rebellion along the way. In honor of the release of the new Hunger Games prequel book, “Sunrise on the Reaping,” now is a wonderful time to revisit the world of Panem. As the first book in the series, “The Hunger Games” is still as captivating as the first time I read it back in middle school, drawing its readers into a world of danger and rebellion under an oppressive regime through the eyes of a desperate young woman. The juxtaposition of the grotesque luxury of the capitol to the gritty desperation and fear of the Games and the Districts makes for a fascinating commentary on the nature of people, power, and propaganda. Dive into this thrilling world and join Katniss as she works to subvert the powers that be while struggling just to stay alive. |
