The Hunger Games series was a compelling story that I couldn't put down. It's about a girl named Katniss who lives in a futuristic North America called Panem. Each of 12 districts are required to give 2 children from the ages of 12 to 18 (one boy and one girl) as "tribute" to the Capitol to play in the Hunger Games. This "Games" is a fight to the death in a ever changing arena where only one of the total 24 teenagers come out alive and live in glory the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, Katniss's little sister Primrose is picked as tribute and Katniss volunteers to go in her place. Katniss's life will never be the same. The story continues as Katniss's struggle with the Capitol results in revolution.
I found this story line to be intriguing the first time I saw the trailer to the movie. After seeing the movie, I was pleased with the intense plot. It was unique with no story like it and that is what drew me to it. I liked that the hero, Katniss, was portrayed as never striking first when confronted with killing other people. Only ever in defense did she strike. I proceeded to read the books and could not stop reading them. Though I do not condone violence to the extent parents are allowing their kids to see nowadays, I do not think all violence is horrible to watch or read. Even the Bible contains violence but it has a point, a lesson to be learned. There is a time and place for everything under the sun. Everyone must choose for himself how much is okay and where the line is drawn. What hurts one person's faith may not hurt another but make sure not to put a stumbling block in front of someone else. You will answer to God for all your choices.
I really think parents need to read the series before allowing their kids to though because topics are discussed that kids and teens might not be aware of and need to talk with their parents about. I also have heard of parents reading the books with their kids and commend them highly for taking an interest in what their kids are reading. If parents have no desire to read the series, then they could at least look up somewhere online, as i'm sure there is, a family review that has the issues, disscussed in the books, layed out before them. This way parents will know exactly what their kids are being subjected to. I might've been able to do that here except that I am trying hard to omit all spoilers.
I comment on the fact that the light and hope, I usually love reading about in books, is missing from this book series but I guess that is part of the point. It is cleverly realistic, sickeningly cruel, and depressingly human. Even the mental stability of one of the main characters declines rapidly in the third book. So I guess the characters aren't the best role models for anybody but they are human and thus not perfect and that needs to be remembered.
As a side note, I loved how close they stuck to the book when making the movie, unlike how Hollywood has butchered other book series. I anticipate the making of the next two movies with impatience and can't wait to see them in theaters.
