Final Thoughts....

Do you think teens and adults respond to this book differently? What do you think your response says about your generation?

Nature

Nature is a large presence in the book. Is it an ally or an enemy? Are there periods of American history when we have regarded nature as one or the other? Have you seen changes in those attitudes in your own lifetime? Is nature or the animal world as much a part of our lives today?

The Portrayal of Adults

The adults in this book seem to be very flawed. Why do you think Collins portrays them this way? Katniss's mother is one of the most important—do you think Katniss is too hard on her? What about other adults Katniss encounters?

Survival vs. Principles

Katniss feels ashamed when Peeta tells her, “I want to die as myself…I don't want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I'm not.” (p. 141) She had been worrying about survival, not principles. Do Katniss and Peeta become monstrous during the games? How do they reach the point of making their stand at the end of the games, when they stake their survival on a principle?

How Would You Feel....

If you were always being watched? Katniss and Peeta and the other tributes must react for the camera from the moment they are chosen for the games, and in their totalitarian society, everyone must hide their dissent. How do you think your behavior would change if you knew that you were always being watched?

Violence and Society

Violence as entertainment plays a large part in The Hunger Games, and the novel itself is both violent and entertaining. What shocked you most about the book? What important points do you think the author makes about violence and its effects on society? violence in the media? violence and children?

Katniss and Peeta

The characters of Katniss and Peeta are so different. Which one did you like more? Which surprised you more? Why do you think Collins made Katniss the main character rather than Peeta? Do you think the characters' backgrounds explain the differences between them?

Inspiration for The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins has said that The Hunger Games was inspired by the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur, the Roman gladiators, reality TV games, and actual TV footage of young people at war. What is the strongest parallel you see between the events of The Hunger Games and our society or history? Do you find any comparisons to events that have been part of your own life?

What Do You Think...

of The Hunger Games? Do you like it? Why or why not? Do you think a teen science fiction novel was a good choice for On The Same Page? Do you like the choice of one book for both teens and adults?