James’ Letter essay #7 The Hunger Games

James Porter
Mr. Jockers
ILA 4 3/31/16

I have just finished reading the book the hunger games by Suzanne Collins. This 374 page read will keep you reading on to the point where you refuse to put the book down. Collins has been recognized for many awards including, Kid’s Choice Awards favorite book and Teen Choice Awards favorite book. Suzanne has written two other books that were included in the Hunger games trilogy which were, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. All three have which been created into thrilling movies that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The reason why I chose the book is because I had previously read it in sixth grade and thought choosing it for a book club to refresh my memory of the greatly written novel. Also reading again I have enabled myself to pick up upon minor details that I swept by reading it before. This made the book more enjoyable and understandable.
The dystopian setting of Panem is separated into 12 districts in which two individuals are chosen to participate in “The Hunger Games.” The chosen girl and boy will have to fight to the death with the other candidates from the other districts. Katniss’ sister Prim was selected in the 74th annual Hunger Games and Katniss’ being the brave character she is decided to take the place of her sister and risk her life to represent district 12. Katniss’ however, unlike her sister is tough and knows her way around which gives her an edge in the games. Peeta, Katniss’ partner in the games is just about your average boy with a slight crush on Katniss. Although Peeta and Katniss make a good pair they have the work cut out for them if they even want a chance to win it all. Will they somehow get out alive from this dystopian disaster? Or will they just be another one to go down in the Hunger Games?
I liked how the author introduced Prim to Katniss to reveal her loving side in the Games. This soon pays off for her too when Thresh saves her life. That aspect of it all really made sense to me because it shows how much district members care for one another. The genre of this book is definitely dystopian literature because it is a disaster of a futuristic world that can very much so end up happening. I didn’t like how the author did not include Peeta a whole lot in the games, he came up here and there but not as much as I would have liked. This revealed Katniss’ bravery when caring for a severely injured Peeta in the caves.
In this scene Katniss is observing the land that lies in front of her before the sound of the Hunger Games begins.
“Sixty seconds. That’s how long we’re required to stand on our metal circles before the sound of a gong releases us. Step off before the minute is up, and landmines blow your legs off. Sixty seconds to take in the ring of tributes all equidistant from the Cornucopia, a giant golden horn shaped like a cone with a curved tail, the mouth of which is at least twenty feet high, spilling over with the things that will give us life here in the arena. Food, containers of water, weapons, medicine, garments, fire starters. Strewn around the Cornucopia are other supplies, their value decreasing the farther they are from the horn. For instance, only a few steps from my feet lies a three-foot square of plastic. Certainly it could be of some use in a downpour. But there in the mouth, I can see a tent pack that would protect from almost any sort of weather. If I had the guts to go in and fight for it against the other twenty-three tributes. Which I have been instructed not to do.
We’re on a flat, open stretch of ground. A plain of hard-packed dirt. Behind the tributes across from me, I can see nothing, indicating either a steep downward slope or even a cliff. To my right lies a lake. To my left and back, sparse piney woods. This is where Haymitch would want me to go. Immediately.” (183)
I liked how the author described the scene and not just her surroundings but what was actually on Katniss’ mind. This makes it feel like you are right there with her and also instead of focussing on just the scenery but what’s in her mind enables the reader to imagine their own setting. If I had to rate this book out of ten it would be a ten because it is one of the best if not the best book I have ever read.

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2 thoughts on “James’ Letter essay #7 The Hunger Games

  1. Dear James,

    I really liked your letter essay. It had a lot of detail. You also gave good info on the book. I also liked how you gave just the right amount of information, without giving away the entire book

    From,
    Tiernan

  2. Dear James,
    Your letter essay was very good It was very descriptive. The way you described the book made me want to read it again. I really liked you quoted passage because it had very good relevance to the book.

    From,
    Rob

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