As a teen librarian and die-hard fan of THE HUNGER GAMES, I am overjoyed at the attention spotlighting Suzanne Collins’ masterpiece series. Over the past 3 years, I have enjoyed spreading the love of this series and watching it gain momentum into a full-blown pop culture phenomenon. There is nothing like overhearing teens speak passionately and emphatically with one another about a book --- not a movie, significant other, band, magazine, or celebrity, but a book.
It is great to see the young and old, male and female, get excited about the same story. And to have that commonality be a young adult book-turned movie, even better! One of the things that I love about THE HUNGER GAMES trilogy is that it brings people together and gets them talking, whether it is about the parallels of reality television in today’s society, how you would survive the Games, or even Team Peeta vs. Team Gale. The connection that THE HUNGER GAMES forges with all of its readers and bonds us together is one of the things that makes the series so unique. Anyone can strike up a conversation with another fan of the books regardless of age, gender, or background.
I see the success of THE HUNGER GAMESas the opening of floodgates to young adult literature finally getting the respect it deserves. HARRY POTTER began it initially; although as a children’s book not Y.A., while TWILIGHT seemed to polarize people and appeals primarily to women. The crossover appeal of THE HUNGER GAMES series has led to the increasing realization that young adult literature is not just for teens. It is not merely fluff and teenage angst like many have thought in the past. Young adult literature has merit and value and is gaining respect in the publishing world with some truly outstanding writing and intelligently plotted novels. Want proof? Just take a look at some of the reviews of 20somethingreads or check out Dystopian Roundup.
Teens are not the only ones who find appeal in young adult literature, and it is not uncommon to see adults browsing the teen fiction section of the library. Adults are no longer embarrassed to be found in this section, and I believe the fantastic writing of Suzanne Collins has helped us get to this point. THE HUNGER GAMES become a gateway book for many into the vast and wonderful world of young adult fiction.
THE HUNGER GAMEShas also led to a rise in strong heroine characters who take charge of their own destiny. Katniss Everdeen is no Bella Swan. She is an autonomous, independent heroine who takes matters into her own hands without compromising who she is as a person. The strong, authentic, and often hardened personality of Katniss has become increasingly present in many Y.A. novels. Characters such as Katsa from GRACELING and Tris from DIRVERGENT don’t shy away from their battles and don’t apologize for who they are. Being a young adult heroine doesn’t mean being a fearless, butt-kicking soldier; it means fighting for what you believe regardless of fear, and Katniss has led the charge for others to follow in her footsteps.
Well there you have it, THE HUNGER GAMES as seen through the eyes of a librarian. I can only hope that we will see more enthusiasm and recognition for fantastic books and characters like Suzanne Collins’. Let’s hope that the odds will be in our favor!
