The Hunger Games (YA)

Book #61 Read in 2012
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This book is the first in a series.  I gave up on it the first time I tried to read.  Friends loved it.  Students loved it.  I figured I would try it again--and this time I ended up loving it.

Katniss lives in District 12, a relatively poor district, with her mother and younger sister.  When contestants are selected for this year's Hunger Games, a contest where children fight to the death, Prim, the younger sister, is selected to be in the Games.  Katniss refuses to allow this to happen and she volunteers to take her sister's place.  Also selected is Peeta, the son of the local baker.  The two form an alliance and Peeta seems to have romantic feelings towards Katniss.

The Games themselves are brutal and horrible.  During the Games, the rules are changed so that two winners from the same district will be allowed.  This means that Katniss can band together with Peeta, who is gravely injured.  But will this rule change really give them a way to survive and win together?

This book had a lot of action, great characters and a decent romance.  Katniss is a tough cookie.  Peeta is a hero whom readers will end up rooting for--to win the Games and get the girl.  I will continue on to book 2.