As one of our major assignments, each of us had to give a book talk this semester. I associate "book reviews" with really boring presentations in which students read something off a sheet of paper. This was not at all the case with our class. Part of the success was that we were required to add a creative element. Some people showed up in costume, others brought props or visuals. Each of us had to read an excerpt from the text and give a very brief presentation on our chosen novel, which was not assigned to anyone else. The purpose was to expose the rest of the class to a long list of potential future reads. I've added so many to my list, simply because my classmates perked my interest. Because of the book talks, I plan to read Esperanza Rising, Stargirl, We are Witnesses, and several others.
My book talk was on Catching Fire. Because many of my classmates didn't choose The Hunger Games during our week on Speculative Fiction, I had to give a but of background on Collins' first novel in order for Catching Fire to make sense.
Here is my book talk in a nutshell:
Here is my book talk in a nutshell:
I personally loved the Hunger Games trilogy. Catching Fire has everything you could want in YA novel- a little bit of romance, a gripping plot, suspense, fascinating characters, and a strong female protagonist.
The novels take place at some unspecified time in the future in a North American dystopia, where the land has been divided into 12 districts, all of which serve the Capitol in some way. Although there used to be 13 districts, the 13th was exterminated in the past after the people of 13 attempted to rebel against the capitol. People in the capitol are privileged. They never go hungry, they live a life of luxury. Their children are never entered in the lottery for the Games. There is no communication between any of the districts. Each district is only able to gain information about the others by what the see on TV, and the media is completely controlled by the capitol.
Each year, to remind the districts not to rebel, there is a lottery, called the reaping, where 2 names are drawn- one boy and one girl between the ages of 12-18. These 2 kids are thrown into the Hunger Games, where they are forced to fight to the death on national TV with friends, family, the capitol watching for entertainment. Only one can survive. That person will become the victor, and will have to train future tributes from his or her district.
The protagonist, Katniss Everdeen gets thrown into the games in the first book, along with Peeta, a boy who has apparently had a crush on her since they were little. He admits this on National TV and their romance becomes a media sensation. So this is going on while we are watching them starve, fight, sleep in the forest. People at home can sponsor them by sending them gifts, so it’s just as important for them to be likable to the audience as it is to fight well, hunt well, etc.
By some twist of fate the two of them make it through the games alive, and this is where the second book begins. Catching Fire details the aftermath of the horror they’ve been through. But of course, like any good thriller, it gets more complicated. These two teenagers have made it out alive; however, they quickly realize that the show isn’t over. The question of whether or not they are actually in love (or whether it’s simply for the cameras) is hazy, especially since Katniss’s best friend Gale has been waiting for her at home. Katniss and Peeta have to go on a victory tour, and as they tour around to the different districts, they begin to notice that rebellions are starting up again. Katniss is defiant, strong, and rebellious. Whether or not she intended to, she becomes the face of a brewing rebellion against the capitol.
...Go read it!!
