North Laurel Book Club

In this gripping young adult novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present, the nation of Panem consists of a shining Capital surrounded by twelve outlying Districts, in the ruins of the area once known as North America. Sixteen-year-old Katniss and her friend Gale forage for food in the woods surrounding their impoverished District, in this stratified society where the Capital controls all resources. The main support for both their families, Katniss and Gale are apprehensive of the approaching annual Reaping, when two “tributes” between the ages of 12 and 18 will be chosen by lottery from each of the twelve districts to compete in The Hunger Games, a survival contest on live TV in which teenagers fight to the death and there can be only one victor.

1CC.9-10.SL.1.a I CAN come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well reasoned exchange of ideas.

Watch this interview with Suzanne Collins and answer these questions on each segment.interview

 Getting Personal What was Suzanne Collins’s favorite book as a child?  Languages Besides English, what other languages does Suzanne Collins speak?  Similarities to Underland Why does each book in both of Suzanne Collins’s series (The Underland Chronicles and The Hunger Games) contain 27 chapters broken down into three sections of nine chapters?  Planning the Trilogy How did Suzanne Collins realize that she would have to continue The Hunger Games past the first book?

 Responses to Book List three (3) themes in The Hunger Games that Collins mentions:  Age of readers Why is The Hunger Games recommended for readers aged 12+?  The Most Difficult Part What were the most difficult parts of the story for Suzanne Collins to write?  What were the most enjoyable parts of the story for Suzanne Collins to write?

Desensitization  After listening to Collins describe desensitization, what does the word “desensitize” mean?  To what things have students your age become “desensitized?”

 Contemporary Inspiration Name three (3) reality tv shows:  Does Collins seem to enjoy the idea of reality television (broadcasting every part of your life)? Why or why not?  Classical inspiration On what Greek myth is The Hunger Games based?  What are the three (3) elements needed to make a good gladiator game?

Read this article on Roman gladiators. Write a summary of the main ideas.article

Read the myth of "Theseus and the Minotaur." Write a summary of the story in your own words.myth

Visit Suzanne Collins's website and answer these questions…website

 Name one other book Suzanne Collins wrote.  What did she do before she wrote children’s books?  Where does she live?  What genre of book is The Hunger Games?

1. Explain how you accomplished your task. 2. How did you use communication to assign specific tasks? 3. Is it important to read the book before watching the movie?

Hunger Games Movie Release 3/23/12

 Hoffmann, R. (2012). Daniel Boone Area School District. mesWebquest.aspx