By Kristi Bezhani
Staff Writer
SLA students and teachers have always had a shared interest in Fantasy and Sci-Fi. From Ender’s Game to Harry Potter, they love the books and movies that come out of this genre.
The latest series in this trend? The Hunger Games.
Students at SLA have been devouring the three volumes of the series for years. Originally published in 2008, the book concentrates on adolescent characters pursuing their identity in a harsh reality that interferes with their daily lives.
“Two years ago my dad got the first book for my birthday. It was a good pick on his part, I’d never heard of it before since then. I really liked the first book for the world that the author created, no one’s seen a dystopia like it,” said Senior Julia Boyer.
Students are also interested in moving on to this series from other books like Twilight. Readers were ready for more plot and more action around a setting.
“Twilight, for example, is fantasy, whereas in The Hunger Games the reader is in a more destructive place,” said Boyer. “It’s more about the place in the Hunger Games, which add to the coolness of it.”
What was more unusual was the teachers reaction to the book. At least half a dozen teachers have read the series, and many are serious fans.
“I heard lots of students and people talking about reading The Hunger games. I didn’t want to put it down once I read it and I didn’t sleep.”
“I value two things one- I value that this books makes readers question authority “the man” and two- I value the relationships in the book.” Ms. Thompson said.
Mr. Best has been seen in school wearing a Hunger Games themed T-Shirt, with “District 12 Archery Team” printed on the front.
One reason SLA staff is interested in this particular book is that The Hunger Games has a more realistic turn on humane morals and self identity in the eyes of society, based off of it’s reality.
“I like the first book a lot because it is relevant to culture in terms of how we view reality, T.V, young people fighting young wars in our own culture,” said English Teacher Alexa Dunn.
Collin’s use of a cruel, capitalistic government having control over an impoverished society creates a intriguing setting for the plot of her book. The life-or-death situation becomes an important element in capturing teens attention to personal relations and self discovered identity.
These are some of the themes that make Ms. Dunn think it might become the new freshman summer reading, replacing The House of the Scorpion, by Nancy Farmer.
Mrs. Dunn noted that it would fit well “as part of the identity and self curriculum,” these are the themes for freshman year at SLA.
Even if it doesn’t become the new freshman book, other than looking forward to that fun change in the summer reading plan, students are looking forward to seeing the movie version, which will be released March 23rd of this year.
“I liked the first book because it had a good plot but the writing got sloppy in the second book and i didn’t like it at all,” said Freshman Gabe Musselman.
“But the survival, humanity, and morality were all so nicely pictured in all of the books, that I can’t wait to go see the book through a movie.”
aw someone should’ve interviewed me for this. I looove the hunger games and got others to become fans as well. I can’t wait until the movie comes out.