Contributing Writer
Staff Page
Here's another notable Borders event. In celebration of the release of Suzanne Collins newest book, Mockingjay, on August 28 every Borders in the area will be having a Hunger Games Fan Fest at 4 p.m.
If you're not a huge fan of young adult literature (like - admittedly - me), I'll give you a bit of background.
Mockingjay is the third and final book in the highly acclaimed Hunger Games series. The first book, Hunger Games, was published in 2008. It was met with amazing reviews from Stephen King, among others.
Basically, Hunger Games is about Katniss Evergreen, a 16-year-old who lives in a post-apocaliptic North America. The land is now Panem, a country divided into the capital and 12 distinct districts. Each year, to show that the leaders in the capital are all-powerful, two children (a boy and a girl aged 12-18) are chosen from each district to compete in a televised battle royale. The 24 children must fight to the death, until only one stands. The entire event is broadcast to the city for - disgustingly - its entertainment.
When Katniss's younger sister is chosen to be part of the Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers to take her place. So, she and the baker's son, Peeta, are taken to the capital and - eventually - the games, where they have to use every skill possible to literally stay alive.
The book is extremely gripping from page one. Part The Lottery, part Lord of the Flies, part Battle Royale, and part Theseus and the Minotaur, it brings all of the themes together into one crazy addictive read.
The second book, Catching Fire, starts right where Hunger Games left off, in a battle against the government. Presumably, Mockingjay (which comes out Tuesday the 24th) will start right where the former book ended, as there is a bit of a cliffhanger.
If you or your children are fans of the book, the Borders event could be a great way to discuss the plot, themes and overall ending.