Book Club: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Welcome to Book Club

A reminder:  Get coffee.  Get comfortable.  Following each question, there are additional thoughts or questions that will add to the conversation.  Your group leader will decide whether to ask a question around the group, or ask for random answers.

About the book:  The Hunger Games is another in a long line of successful Young Adult fantasies that have sold by millions to adult readers.  It has been, for 180 weeks, on the best-seller list.  Suzanne Collins has set the story in post-apocalyptic North America, a country risen from the ashes,

now called Panem. 

In this aftermath of war, on the lower levels, there is great starvation, and a strong sense of “every man for himself.”  Annually, the Reaping is a dress-up, celebratory event.  Every child under the age of eighteen might have his or her name drawn.  Two of these “tributes” are chosen from each district.  After the games, there will be only one winner.

1.       At the Reaping, Prim’s name is called.  Were you surprised when Katniss Everdeen stepped up to take her sister’s place
(Around the group, answer the following two questions as one.  Example:  yes I would, and no...)
*If you had been in Katniss’s shoes, with a family depending on her, would you have taken Prim’s place?
*In your own shoes, if the situation were real, would you step up to take the place of your sister or anyone else?  Why or why not?
2.      Following one of the book’s many plot points – control -- how do you feel about the Capitol spending money on preparing and implementing the hunger games?
*Perhaps an overly simple question, but – consider the expenses.  Might there be a wiser way to spend that money?
*What do you think about the sudden gifts that sometimes arrive just when the tributes need them? 
*Katniss Everdeen has eighteen slips of paper, with her name on them, in the hopper.  How does this system of Tessera figure into the story?  Is Tessera worthwhile?
3.       Why do you think this book appealed to so many boys?
Does Katniss show both strengths and weaknesses?  How so?
*As the games begin, is she wise to choose the bow and arrows from the cornucopia and leave the heaps of packaged food, sunscreen, sunglasses, tents, water, other weapons, medicine, garments and fire starters?
*What would you have chosen at that starting moment if you’d been Katniss – and why?
*Did either of her parents prepared her for these games?
*What things, physically and mentally, drove her to win
4.       During the games, the rules change.  What was that about?
*As a character in the book, would you have watched the televised games?
*Would you have sponsored a Tribute?
*As a citizen of District 12, how would you feel if your child were chosen?     
5.       This is also a story about relationships.
*Why did Katniss’s mother mentally "wander away?"
*How do you feel about the relationship between Katniss and Peeta?  Is it reasonable for a sixteen-year-old girl?  How does the early-on gift of bread figure in?
*Did Rue’s presence in the story affect Katniss?  If so, how?
*What do you think will happen to, or with, Gale?  Why does he even appear in the story?
*Why did District 12’s only living mentor, Haymitch Abernathy stay drunk most of the time?
6.        What is the actual purpose of the hunger games?
*Why do you think each district is surrounded by high chain link and barbed wire?
*How do you feel about President Snow and the people who run the games?
*Do any facets of the Hunger Games compare to reality?
7.    Overall, how did you feel about this book?
*Are you moved to read Catching Fire, the second in the series?  If you’ve read the second book, would you now try the third one, Mockingjay?
*Actress Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Katniss Everdeen in the upcoming movie, attended stunt school and learned to perform her own stunts.  Do you plan to see the movie?

Note:  Next month’s book to be announced soon.

May the odds be ever in your favor!

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