The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed by Alexandra M.
Grade 9


Hunting to put food on the table is not what most kids think of when they think of their chores, but for Katniss Everdeen it's a part of everyday life. She lives in a very different society where she must provide for her family because her father is dead and the government isn't exactly helpful.

Every year, the treacherous Capital of Katniss's country chooses a boy and a girl tribute from each district to compete in a gruesome event called the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games takes all the tributes, puts them in a large and complex arena complete with miles of forest and rivers; the tributes must fight to the death. The Hunger Games are to remind the citizens that the Capital owns them and controls every aspect of their lives!

Katniss and her family anxiously attend the drawing of the tributes. Even with the odds on their side, Kantiss's little sister Primrose or Prim is chosen to compete. Katniss is completely overcome with emotion and volunteers to take her sister's place. Peeta who Katniss shows some interest in is also chosen for the Hunger Games. Peeta and Katniss are prepped to become what we would call "celebrities." There is a grand opening ceremony where Katniss looks like she is literally lit on fire! It is quite a show. Then, the Games begin. Katniss befriends Rue who reminds her of Prim. Rue gets into a scuffle with another tribute and Katniss uses her archery skills for help... but does it save Rue? Peeta and Katniss then find each other and try to work together. Then, because of a strange twist of rules and fate they must both find a way to survive, but the rules state that only one comes out alive.

The characters in The Hunger Games were described excellently. After reading, the personality of each character was clear. It was possible to tell who said something in the book with no "he said, she said." For example, “I am not pretty. I am not beautiful. I am as radiant as the sun.”-Katniss Everdeen. After reading the book, anyone would know that Katniss was saying this because of her personality. The setting was absolutely amazing as well! The way the author described where Katniss lived was great: coal mines, smoke, and even a description of the booming sounds from the Capital. The idea of that alternate society was intriguing to say the very least. The author's style was very good. “Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to…to show the Capitol they don’t own me. That I’m more than just a piece in their Games.” -Peeta Mellark. This quote is a perfect example of Collins style—foreshadowing; it makes you want to read more and more.

The answer to whether this book should be recommended is absolutely yes. This book was amazing. The author's style was flawless. It kept you wanting more. Not only did her style make this book good, the theme itself made every sentence a cliffhanger. There are dozens of moral lessons in the book, such as when Katniss must sacrifice some of her own belongings to save someone. Personally, my favorite part of this book was Katniss; she was a natural leader who lived to do the right thing and never backed down. She is a great role model for people everywhere.

The Enemy by Charlie Higson

Reviewed by Kady D.
Grade 8


When most kids think of disaster, they imagine their best friend moving away, getting a failing grade on a test or even just having a bad hair day. Not for these kids who live in central England in a post-apocalypse world. Their daily life consists of killing zombie adults and making sure they don't get eaten alive. Sounds like fun doesn't it?

Can you imagine what life would be like without parents? For these kids, their families have either died or been turned into zombies. A terrifying disease has struck anyone over the age of 16, and these children are scared. They live in an old grocery store called Waitrose. Every day, the kids must venture off into their old neighborhoods to gather food and supplies for themselves and the smaller children. A dangerous fate awaits though who take too much however. In abandoned town shops and subway stations, adults turned zombie wait to strike the Waitrose kids. If they can manage to fend off the adults, they live to see another day. If not, the pain and misery of having no food and barely any water ends. At least for a little while. On an ordinary night like any other, a huge horde of zombies crash into the front doors of the building, clawing and scratching. The teens inside Waitrose manage to kill the zombies. In the ruins they find a teen much like themselves. This teen offers them a chance to live in the once grand Buckingham Palace, where no adults ever venture to. Excited at leaving the terrible live conditions, they venture off with this teen, who is called The Joker, and another group of kids. These kids are from another grocery store called Morrisons. . The teens encounter many problems along the way to Buckingham Palace and many of the die. After a long six mile walk to the palace, they finally arrive. Is the Buckingham Palace the sanctuary and nirvana they all dreamed of? Or is it worse than their old home?

I very much enjoyed the setting of this book .I thought the author did a very nice job describing the way the city looked after the Disease had struck. In some scenes, I felt I was actually standing next to the Waitrose kids, hoping that zombies wouldn’t come out and attack me. For instance, the author says, “On his next strike the ax head sunk deep into a big father’s ribs and stuck there. The father twisted and writhed, churning the water and tearing the ax from Freak’s grasp.” At that moment, I felt as if I was a mouse watching the scene from a little hole in the wall.

I would DEFINITELY recommend The Enemy to anyone who enjoys horror, suspense, and humor. The author writes in alternate chapters. He writes from the viewpoint of the Waitrose/Morrison’s kids, a child who was captured at the beginning of the book and a kid they left at Waitrose. Therefore, you get the full experience of what it was like to live during this time period. I really enjoyed this book and plan to get the sequel when it comes out.