The book picks up right where the first one left off, and I do have to admit that it does take a little while to really get started, but once the pace picks up, it is AWESOME! I was wondering what happened to the contestants after the games when I read the first one, and this book so nicely explains it. Sometimes the government in Panem seems completely out of control and it is hard to even imagine, yet at the same time I can really picture everything that they talk about!
I was so happy to be "assigned" Catching Fire as my second book for this week! After having read The Hunger Games I definitely wanted to continue the series, and probably would have had to postpone another book so I could read that one! I am not quite finished, but I am loving the book so far! I am a bit more than halfway through.
My sister came home this week for her college break and was reading The Hunger Games on the train. She said that she had to try to stop herself from cryiing because she became so invested in the characters and the plot. She can't wait to read the next one, and I think this holds true for most people that read these books. I was thinking about how I would use them in the classroom, and I honestly think this series is one of those books that I would want to use simply to get readers to WANT to read. I think sometimes we, as teachers, try to over-analyze books which then takes the fun out of reading them. My sister enjoyed the book because she could just read it for what it was and not have to worry about a quiz or discussion etc. This series is exciting and emotional, and a fun fast read, so I wouldn't want to take that away from the book. This isn't to say that the book couldn't be used in really creative ways in the classroom and be very successful, its just my inital reaction is to let students read it for independent read or something to that affect.
I can't wait to finish Catching Fire and then begin on the third book! I need to finish before the movie comes out!
Katie, I couldn't agree with you more. Once Katniss put on that first outfit for the pre-game show, I was hooked!
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about your question regarding how to incorporate this type of work more readily into the ELA curriculum. In chapter 9 of our textbook, the authors talk about "reading ladders" -- using an easier/more accessible read as a "ladder" or "scaffold" to a more challenging read. Last year when I re-read the Hunger Games Trilogy (for the second time) I also read 1984 by Orwell. I thought the Trilogy would make for an excellent "ladder" to understanding the themes of government control, the power of propaganda as well as exploring the literary elements of character development and heroism. Obviously, 1984 would be a work more suitable for high school readers, but I am wondering if there is another required reading in middle school which could be either substituted by the Hunger Games or you could have book groups where different groups read similarly themed novels: for example, one group read *Hunger Games*; one group read *The House of the Scorpion* (by Nancy Farmer); one group read *The Giver.* This would allow for some adjustment according to the reading comprehension abilities/needs of your students while still allowing all to make progress on common learning objectives?