The Hunger Games

This is a widely known story. The Hunger Games is the first in a a series of three books about a futuristic dystopia. Each year, 2 tributes from each of the 12 districts are randomly selected to participate in a gruesome fight to the death. Katniss Everdeen, the protagonist, volunteers to take the place of her sister in these horrific "games," and the events that follow leave readers unable to put the book down!

In older grades, I would certainly consider using this book as a read aloud. However, it is likely that I would simply keep it in the classroom library (in upper grades). I think that the content may be too sensitive for the classroom setting in some cases.

The book was also made into a major motion picture which has yielded a lot of popularity.

Collins, S. (2008). The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press.