Mockingjay, a review by Jacob

Title:  Mockingjay
Author:  Suzanne Collins
Format:  Hardcover
Price: $17.99

The Hunger Games are over.  That should be a good thing, right?  Not for Katniss Everdeen.  As the Mockingjay, she joins the rebellion against the corrupt Capitol.  But, it will not be an easy flight.  She must draw the attention of the other districts to also act up against the Capitol, and kill President Snow.

Katniss is no longer the simple huntress she was.  She is hardened by too much blood and warfare in too little time.  After an attack from the Capitol that destroys Katniss' old life, she has even more personal motivation to take them down.

The theme of the book seems to me to be that things are always changing, and not always in the way you'd like them to.  Everything good comes to an end.  But in the same way, everything bad does, too.

I think that this book was overall pretty strong.  Some people don't like it as much since the Hunger Games are over, but I honestly like it more because they are over.  I really liked getting to know more about the society of Panem, and I enjoyed reading about the rebellion.  But, there are some things that I think could've gone better.  The main weak point to me seemed to be the ending.  The ending was way too sudden, and it didn't really satisfy me.  Other points were a little too sudden, but the ending really hit hard.  It was the "correct" ending to me -- everything went the way I was hoping -- but it was summed up in the last two or three pages.  The other endings of the books were good enough; they left a cliff-hanger, suspense, but this book was supposed to be the conclusion, and it just didn't seem right to me. 

Overall, I think the book deserves a well-earned 3.8 out of 5 chocolate bars.

The book's cover was, uh, pretty.  It was nice to see an actual(ish) Mockinjay.

This book, like the other Hunger Games books, has extreme violence, so be wary.

Mockingjay, a review by Jude

Title:  Mockingjay

Author: Suzanne Collins

Format: Hardcover

Price: $17.99

Plot

The final book of The Hunger Games trilogy takes place in the same post-apocalyptic North American nation of Panem, which is now experiencing a fully-fledged revolution.  After being rescued from the Quarter Quell along with several other tributes, Katniss Everdeen becomes “The Mockingjay,” a symbol of the revolutionary movement. Throughout the book, Katniss seeks to be more involved in the rebel cause, and is used to film inspirational “Propos” to further motivate the rebels. After continued success of the rebels to gain control of the districts, Katniss is enlisted into a special group of people including Gale Hawthorne, Finnick Odair, and certain soldiers from among the general rebel army. This team ends up in the capitol, racing towards President Snow’s mansion to finally put an end to the war. Intense fighting takes place throughout the majority of the journey to the mansion, which results in the deaths of most of the group. In the end, chaos ensues, Katniss suffers a great loss, Snow is captured, but Katniss makes a sudden choice that leaves everything in confusion. In the end, she returns to what’s left of District 12 and settles there for the remainder of her life.

Character Analysis

Katniss has changed immensely since she started out as a simple 16 year old girl living in a poor district in Panem. After living through two Hunger Games and being the face of the revolutionary movement, she has suffered unimaginable loss.  She blames herself for the thousands of deaths caused by the war, and at times becomes self-destructive. She gets caught in an odd love triangle, and is heavily motivated by protecting Peeta and Gale, as well as her family and friends. In the end, she has matured greatly, perhaps too much for a girl her age, and she must live with ever-haunting memories of tragedy and violence.

Theme

To me, this book relayed messages pertaining to the realities of war, as well as revolutionary movements. Collins portrayed the brutal violence of the story somewhat bluntly, not trying to lighten the realities of the intense violence. I also found the corruption on both sides of the war a major part of the book’s theme. As President Snow’s regime was obviously harsh and oppressive, President Coin of district 13 didn’t have the best of methods or ways of gaining power, and showed some obvious corruption. Even though you overthrow the oppressive regime, if you’re not careful, the new order may turn out bad as well, causing only more problems.

My Opinion

Overall, I thought the book was all right. I did, however, find it disappointing in comparison to the previous two books, which I think are phenomenal.  The biggest thing about this book that I don’t like in relation to the previous two is how different the feel is. The first two were all about independent survival, and needing to use cunning and stealth to survive in an arena full of murderous teenagers. This one felt too militaristic and political to complement and give a good ending to the series. I did enjoy the portion of the book leading up to the climax, but the climax itself and the ending were both disappointing. Everything happened too abruptly, and everything seemed rushed without much real thought going into it. Not only did it end too abruptly, but I hate what actually happens in the end.  I would definitely read other books by Suzanne Collins, but in this book it seems as if she was trying too hard to make it an epic and crazy ending, and ended up with a mediocre to poor conclusion to an amazing series.

3 out of 5 chocolate bars.

I enjoyed the cover, as it correlates to the feel of the book as well as the theme of the entire series.

The only questionable material Mockingjay involves is, at times, intense violence.

Catching Fire, a review by Sammy G.

Title- Catching Fire (The Second Book in The Hunger Games)

Author- Suzanne Collins

Format- ebook

Price- $5.99 on Amazon.com and 9.99 on BarnesAndNoble.com

Plot Summary-

Catching Fire starts out with the victory tour for Peeta and Katniss. Right before it President Snow shows up and basically says if you don’t convince EVERYBODY that you love Peeta I will kill Gale. So they go on this Victory Tour and Peeta proposes to Katniss, she accepts, but even that isn’t enough to convince President Snow. Life goes on and eventually it is announced that in the 75^th Hunger Games tributes will be chosen from the existing pool of victors! And for district 12 that means the 2 tributes will be Katniss and Peeta or Katniss and Haymitch! When the drawing happens it is decided that Peeta will go in with Katniss again. During the training and interviews Cinna and Portia, their stylists, come up with more amazing outfits. Also during one of the interviews Peeta drops 2 huge bombshells and says that Katniss is pregnant and that they already got married in secret. Finally the real Hunger Games begin but I won’t tell you what happens because that may spoil the book for you.

Important Characters (edited for length):

Katniss (main character)- She is courageous, a victor of the 74^th Hunger Games, a beautiful singer, in love with Peeta and Gale, named after an edible root, great with a bow and arrow, and she hates the Capitol.

Peeta (main character)- He is great with words, a victor of the 74^th Hunger Games, an amazing painter, he has been in love with Katniss since he first saw her, he is strong, and he hates the Capitol.

Gale (main character)- He is a great hunter and trapper, in love with Katniss, and he hates the Capitol.

Haymitch (main character)- He is a drunk, the victor of the 50^th Hunger Games, and the mentor for katniss and peeta in the 74^th and 75^th hunger Games. He also hates the Capitol.

Prim (Katniss’s sister)- She is sweet, innocent, and almost everyone absolutely loves her.

Theme- I think the theme of the Hunger Games is to stand up for what you believe in no matter what.

Strengths:

1. Interesting back story

2. Great plot and characters

3. Easy to visualize

Weaknesses:

1. Confusing at times

2. Said is used a lot

3. I wish they would have played it out

Evaluation- Over all it is one of the best books I have ever read and encourage anyone who hasn’t read it to read it.

Ending Thoughts- I personally did not like the ending, but without it the third book would be completely different.

Rating- 4.5 chocolate bars

Cover Thoughts- I think the cover is a good cover because it matches the other covers and the mockingjay is basically the symbol for the whole story.

Appropriateness- The only inappropriate thing is Haymitch’s drinking. (and kids killing each other.)  For ages 9 and up.

The Hunger Games Trilogy: a review by MyPatronusIsARock

The Hunger Games Trilogy

  

screen name: MyPatronusIsARock

Grade: 6

Format: All 3 in hard cover

Author: Suzanne Collins

Price: $30.00 or so.

Short Summary:

The book doesn`t say exactly what year it takes place in, but you can tell it takes place in the future, after a long war. It was a war between the Districts (like states, and each one is in charge of a certain thing), which take up the place that used to be the United States. And there is a form of government, where one tiny district, called the Capitol, rules. So in the war, the Capitol saved all 13 districts from blowing each other up. Then the Districts were at peace, after the Capitol ended the war. But the Capitol wanted revenge, payment for their hard work at ending the war. District 13, which was in charge of nuclear weapons, was the Capitols target. So the Capitol used 13`s weapons and blew everything in District 13 up, to show the rest of Panem (the replacement name of USA) that the Capitol was incharge. They use the land that used to be 13 as video footage for TV. And after they blew up District 13, they started The Hunger Games. 74 years later, Katniss Everdeen, her mentally upset mother, and her little sister Prim go to the reaping, (this is when they gather to draw names for the Hunger Games). Prim`s name is drawn, and Katniss goes in to volunteer for Prim. that`s how Katniss`s adventure beings. With Peeta, the male tribute from her district, they get into the Hunger Games, and change the nation of Panem.

If there are any weaknesses to the book, which I believe there aren`t, one would be lazy readers. One of the main parts of the book that is well played out, is figuing out what happens in their world. It`s in the future, so, new tehnology, weapons, nature, and government. If one isn`t the type that likes to figure things out for themselves, well, this book may be a problem.

Cover thoughts: The cover of the book is brilliant. It just decribes the book with a simple symbol. The Mockingjay pin, is just the symbol of the books in general, and the symbol of "rebellion". Thats all I can say. This book is well written and very exciting. You can`t put it down!

Chocolate bars: 5

Rating: Death (Most extreme gore you can get, very violent concept, and other things like that)

Why do teens like dark fiction? 8th graders respond.

The New York Times recently ran a "Room for Debate" discussion in which a number of writers gave their opinions about why teens are reading books with dark themes and post-apocalyptic settings.  I introduced this question to my 8th grade class and had them discuss whether they enjoy these kinds of books, and if so, why?  Then I gave them a chance to read the articles and the comments and take some time to think.  The next day, we spent some time writing and discussing the trend and the types of books they would publish if they were in charge.  Here's a sampling of their thoughts.

“[The articles and the comments] kind of made me laugh since most of those people were probably adults arguing about what people like me feel….  If I were asked to write about why teens love dark fiction, I’d say it’s because I think we love the reaction and emotion it causes us to read about…[creepy/violent things] we highly doubt we’ll ever see…and never thought how we would react to it.”  --YamiHeart

“I agree with both the idea of escapism and the idea that we read them because it is happening in our world…there are bad things in our world, but it’s not like a book—there’s no hero.”  --Kathryn

“We aren’t always all dark and scary.  I know that my favorite books, and almost all of my friends’ favorites, are books about real life.  It helps us learn, when we see how other teens (even if fictional) deal with real life problems.” --WhatcyoNameIs

“We want to hear and think new things…we want more adventure than what our normal lives have to offer.”  --Zari

“My argument would be that the hype and the popularity of these types of books makes teen read them.  I would publish happy comedies—I like biographies and autobiographies, and also happy books.” --Jafra

“Teens like to escape into a world where there are troubles more vastly dangerous and deadly than dating and bad hair days.” –DJ

“I think teens are attracted to the parallel of the characters; they’re so different, and yet so much alike.  It’s interesting to compare ourselves to them.”  --Kyra

“I thought there were some good thoughts [in those articles], especially about how people read these dystopian books that are filled with drama, adventure, etc…to escape our everyday world.”  --Caitlin

“I would publish scary, exciting, full-of-action types of books.  I would try getting YAs to read my books by making them interesting, action-packed, full of explosions on the covers.” –Abbey

“Our daily lives are boring so these books are like a chance to get away and think, “What if life was actually exciting like this?” It’s fun to put yourself in the main character’s shoes.” –Brynn

“Teens like to think that they could possibly be in a dark situation and be strong enough to get out of it.” –Sophia

“These articles all sort of captured why I read books like these.  We watch too much violent TV.  I would publish funny books with a good storyline.”  --Matt

“Teenagers are bored of their normal lives, so they read books about ‘dark’ places and people….  Usually the characters are very different from me, but I love to imagine myself in their situation.  I would publish books that are mysterious, gripping, and dramatic.”  --swimfreak110396

“I would publish fantasy, mostly medieval.”  --Jarrid

“Because our teenage lives are just so drab and boring and just plain old blech, we want to escape.” –Jess

“People want to imagine what if I was in this?  What would it be like? Teens don’t like reading about things and people that are like them in books because they are trying to get away from that.  But some people who are having hard, difficult, dark times might read them to know they aren’t alone…” –Eva

“Maybe people who do go through a tough life everyday like to read these books because it’s not real.  They can escape into the life that’s not real, and if they are okay at the end, it might give them hope.”  --Emma

“We like to read about the unimaginable, the creative, creepy things excite us more than our old same routines.” –Alexis

“Well, it’s not that all teens are dark and vivid, it’s just that when you do have a lot of things going on, or if your life is just plain boring, you use these dystopian or dark books as a getaway.  You just kinda blend into everything in the book.”  --Amanda

“My opinion is that teens enjoy darker themes because it may be something they can relate to.  If they read a book they can relate to, it may make them feel like people do understand or they’re not so alone.” –Augezt Fire

“It’s a way for us to read about something that’s never going to happen.  Just to think about what it would be like if that actually were to happen.”  --Caleb

“I would focus on war books—sci-fi war books.”  --Logan

“Teens would like to read about things that aren’t real…. I would publish the dark fiction because that seems the most fun to both read and write.” –Skylar

“Teens do like scary stories with darkness and death.  They don’t have to live in this fake world.”  --Jason Huntington

ETA: if you're ages 10-18, you should go fill out this survey about what you like in your favorite kind of Middle Grade or Young Adult books!  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BV3365M

Book Snapshots from Book Report Season...

Students at our school were invited to write a brief snapshot of the books they are reading this quarter for their book reports.

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

Epic.  Adventurous.  So intense that when you read The Hunger Games you will be on the edge of your seat.

After North America was split up into twelve districts, a game was made.  A crucial, heart-wrenching, jaw-dropping game that means that a girl and a boy who were 12 to 18 years old would be chosen from each district and would be put head to head to fight to the death.  The last person who was alive was lucky enough to go back to their district and rejoin his or her family.....

Friends against Friends, Sisters against Brothers, Enemies against Enemies, but it all comes down to who will survive this year.

By: Quinn Manty

Wanderer, by Sharon Creech

I am reading the book Wanderer by Sharon Creech.  It is a great book about a girl named Sophie who loves to sail.  She, her two cousins, and her three uncles go on a sailing trip to England.

I loved this book because it has a very exciting plot and very good descriptions.  This book has six main characters:  Sophie, Cody, Brian, Unclo Dock, Uncle Mo, and Uncle Stew.

I rate this book 4 1/2 chocolate bars out of five.

By: watergirl444

Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins

In this book, Katniss Everdeen is the girl on fire.  It is the last book in the Hunger Games series.  Katniss is faced with many challenges that are life-threatening to her and to her loved ones.  The whole capital is against her now, and no place is safe.  She can't go back now because back was destroyed.  One wrong move and the game is over.  Loved ones are changing, and the capital is out for revenge--revenge on everyone.  Katniss is sure to die now.  Loved ones have been brainwashed, and others are obeying the capital to stay alive.  Living in fear, can Katniss still be the girl on fire?

By: Sydney