The Hunger Games! The Hunger Games! The Hunger Games!

People, I am totally caught up in this Hunger Games madness, but it is good madness.

When The Hunger Games movie was slowly, but surely, approaching the theatres, my school was bubbling over with excitement. Quite a few of the students were franticly reading the book, the librarians were extremely busy checking this book out, and I was getting emails from the librarians telling me to let a student know that he/she needed to come check this book out, or they were going to give it to the next student who was anxiously waiting. All of this did not move me, but when I saw one of my serious 12th grade students reading this book, I realized, at that moment, that I needed to read this book.

I didn't want to buy it, but I did want to read it. I went to the school's library, and it was not in. So, I asked my class, "Does anyone have The Hunger Games?" Several students pulled it out of their backpacks, and I began the journey into The Hunger Games world.

From the very first page, this book is absolutely captivating. Suzanne Collins knows how to make the reader identify with the characters right away. Who doesn't love a family who is poor but are doing whatever it takes to survive?

The main character is a 16 year old, smart, tough girl named Katniss Everdeen who also has a soft side. I must admit that most books that have girls and/or women as strong characters with a tender side, are some of my favorite books: Their Eyes Were Watching, Pride and Prejudice, Sula etc. I love when I have a girl student who wears cute vintage dresses but is a great basketball player, runner, rower, etc. The best of both worlds!!!

Once Katniss is put in "The Games," the will to survive kicks in, and she WINS!!!!!!! Long live Katniss.

This is a book with the themes of "We Need Others to Survive" and "The Underdog CAN win." I really believe in these themes. I think of all of the people in life that really help me to survive. People who offer words of encouragement, who are just present, and people who are willing to fight when I need someone to fight with me. When Katniss was in "The Games" trying to survive on her own, I was wondering how was she going to do this? But once she partnered up with Peeta, I knew that it was on. People Need Other People.

With the theme of "The Underdog CAN Win," I really believe this as well. It has been proven over and over, but I guess it sort of depends on a person's definition of winning. Winning, to me, is overcoming an obstacle such as poverty, mistreatment, yourself, abuse. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a great example of someone who was the underdog, but he won and was able to help his people.

Collins really develops these themes in The Hunger Games, and now I understand what all of the buzz was about in the school. Over my Springbreak, which is next week, I will be anxiously going to the movies to see The Hunger Games.

I really needed something good and light to read, and The Hunger Games filled that desire.

I highly recommend that you read this book and see the movie!!!!