The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins

When a new country rises up from what was once North America, the leaders keep control of their citizens through the Hunger Games, a yearly “competition” where two children, one male and one female, from each of the twelve districts battle to the death.  This year, Katniss Everdeen has volunteered to take her younger sister’s place in the Games, and must survive against 23 other chosen children, including a childhood acquaintance who once showed her kindness.

Suzanne Collins has crafted a world where one could believe that such a contest could be held.  Katniss may just be the next breakthrough literay character, following Lisabeth Salander from the Millennium Trilogy.  As it is, Collins has completed a trilogy of her own, and Katniss will be right behind Salander in heading to the big screen in the US.  I certainly look forward to the next adventure for these characters, assuming I can borrow the book from my niece.