Get Ready for Teen Read Week: The Hunger Games

Take advantage of Teen Read Week (October 12-18) to introduce The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and get teens hooked on reading all year long. Read reviews of this captivating book on Scholastic's Kid Lit Kit and Ink Splot 26 blogs.

Elizabeth Bird, a children's librarian at the Donnell Central Children's Room of the New York Public Library, writes in her blog review, "Collins has written a book that is exciting, poignant, thoughtful, and breathtaking by turns. It ascends to the highest forms of the science fiction genre and will create all new fans for the writer. One of the best books of the 2008 year." [A Fuse #8 Production - Blog on School Library Journal]

Here's a list of resources to get you started:

• The Hunger Games booktalk
• The Hunger Games discussion guide
• The Hunger Games Web site (audio excerpt, author interview, and desktop wallpaper)
• Suzanne Collins author study

After reading the book, teens can join the discussion by answering trivia challenges and writing about the main characters' motivations. Or, watch the video of Suzanne Collins describing the most difficult part of writing The Hunger Games.

In addition to our Teen Reads book list and video public service announcement, try these ideas to promote teen literacy. Stay tuned this week for more recommended teen reads.