What is Hunger Games?

The Hunger Games is a book trilogy written by Suzanne Collins. The novels are considered young-adult science fiction but are enjoyed by people of all ages.

The storyline revolves around Katniss Everdeen, a sixteen-year-old girl who lives in the post-apocalyptic world of Panem (the former North America). The government, known as the Capitol, holds great power and televises an annual “reality show” known as the Hunger Games. Each district in the country must send one boy and one girl to fight to the death. Other central characters include her childhood friend Gale, her fellow district competitor Peeta, her sister Primrose, her “mentor” Haymith, and President Coriolanus Snow.

The three books in the Hunger Games trilogy are: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay.

Lionsgate Entertainment has announced that the first book in the series will be made into a movie to be released March 23, 2012. The film will be directed by Gary Ross. The first castmember, Jennifer Lawrence, was recently announced.

Why is everyone talking about The Hunger Games? According to many sources, it is the next “Twilight,” which I take to mean “young adult book series turned into a movie and pop culture sensation.” The story is certainly compelling and appeals to a wider demographic than did Twilight. It remains to be seen whether the movies will prove as popular as the books are becoming.