My computer took an unapproved four-day vacation. It was not appreciated, but thanks to the intervention of a friend who can coax them back, I’m able to re-connect.
The forced break did give me the chance to read Catching Fire, the second book of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. As my husband likes to say, “everything has been said, but not everyone has said it,” and that’s how I feel about both of these heart-stopping and thought provoking books.
We are thinking about teaching The Hunger Games to Inly Middle School students this year. Many schools have added it to their reading lists and curricula. The book brings up so many questions that are spot-on for this age, primarily this one: How much can we raise the stakes in the quest to be entertained? In our relentless 24-hour news and entertainment cycle, behaviors or images that may have shocked us two years ago barely register. We want more. If you’ve read the books, you know what I mean.
It would be interesting to pair The Hunger Games with Lois Lowry’s The Giver. The two books would certainly lead to some interesting and sobering conversations.
Sommer Reading 
hey shelley,
as always, i love to get your book recommendations. delighted to now get them via your blog.
i’m currently reading “smekday” by adam rex (borrowed from adam’s bookshelf), but this will be next on my list!
– sally
Hi Shelley,
I’m thrilled you are doing this website!
I’m actually working in a bookstore now to support my habit!
I too often recommend this this book to young adults in conjunction with The Giver, which you had given me to read years ago-
Thanks,
Shannon
I love this series!
Hi Shelly,
Hi Shelly,
I completely agree with you that Chains was a great book for the summer reading last year. I liked that it was very thrilling and appropriate for that time.
I love the idea of contrasting the idea of the Hunger Games series with The Giver.
I’d love to see Lord of the Flies and The Maze Runner given the same treatment at this level.
Thanks for your comment, Shannon. I’ve never read The Maze Runner, but maybe I should add it to my list.