Getting Ready for Book Club (and Mockingjay)

Next week, we’ll be discussing Suzanne Collins’ books THE HUNGER GAMES and CATCHING FIRE. (And don’t forget the MOCKINGJAY giveaway!) So, this week I thought I’d give everyone who hasn’t read them (or needs a little reminder) a brief run-down on both books. I’ll try to stay clear of the spoilers as much as possible.

Hunger Games

In the ruins of what was once North America, the nation of Panem is divided into twelve districts, with the Capital controlling all with a very tight fist. Katniss Everdeen (16) lives in the 12th district. She and her friend Gale hunt and forage for food in the forest surrounding their impoverished mining district. Both of them provide the main source of food for their families. Life is hard in most of the districts, and the Capital makes it even harder once a year. During the Reaping, two teenage tributes from each district are chosen by lottery to fight to death in the Hunger Games. When her baby sister, Prim, is chosen from District 12, Katniss volunteers to take her place. Along with Peeta, the baker’s son, she travels to the Capital and competes in the games.

Catching Fire (Spoilers!)

Katniss wins the Hunger Games (and saves Peeta) with an act of defiance against the Capital. She and Peeta travel back to District 12 as victors. However, the Capital isn’t done with them. The President sends them on a rather cruel Victory Tour of the districts. And, every 25 years, the Capital can add a special twist to the Hunger Games. The Capital announces that the 75th Hunger Games will pit past victors of the games against each other. Katniss and Peeta will have to fight in the games again. Meanwhile, talk of rebellion is spreading through the districts.


For those of you who have read the books, what District would you represent? (Being from Southwest Virginia, I’m pretty sure I’d be in District 12, aka the Seam.) What were your favorite parts of either book? Why do you think these books have become so extraordinarily popular?

btw, don't forget to register for the Mockingjay giveaway! Please don't sign up more than once, though.

7 comments:

Amie McCracken said...

Being from the Rockies in Colorado I would naturally be in the Capitol, but yuck. So if I could choose I would be in Rue's District 11 for all the beautiful crops.

Unknown said...

I'm not sure if we'd be in the Seam, Angie, or maybe District 13? (Seam seemed more north to me.) I'm hoping we're 13--you can count on the South to be the biggest rebels, right? :)

Angie Smibert said...

You may be right, Beth. District 12 could be WV or PA, but SW VA was a big coal mining area, too.

Kate Evangelista said...

I want to be in District 13. I'm guessing it's like Area 51, only way cooler. :-)

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm from Canada - pretty sure we got wiped out :)

Angie Smibert said...

This person did a nice rundown of the mentions of the districts in HG/CF: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=56371604601&topic=16003

Based on that, Beth, I think you're actually in District 11, whereas my hometown is closer to District 12. (My grandfather was a coal miner, but mines in our are shut down in the 50's. Hmmm. Maybe Blacksburg is outside the District 12 fence.)

Okie said...

I'm a water/beach lover, so district 4 (is that right) is likely my choice...but I'm also an electronics/tech fan, so #3 (?) would also be cool.