Why Hunger Games should not be Banned

 

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic, 2009. 

The Hunger Games is the first book to a dystopian trilogy that follows the perspective of Katniss Everdeen, a sixteen-year-old girl from District 12. The book is set in an eerily not-too-unfamiliar fictionalize setting where 12 districts serve in servitude to the Capitol with minimal rights after a lost rebellion some 74 years before. The Capitol reminds the districts of their betrayal by holding an annual Hunger Games for the Capitol’s entertainment and the district’s enduring punishment. Each district is forced to send one girl and one boy, between the ages 13 to 19, to fight to the death in the annual Hunger Games celebration. When Katniss’s thirteen-year-old sister’s name is drawn from the 74^th Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers herself as tribute to the games in her sister’s stead. With the other chosen tribute from District 12, Peeta Mellark, Katniss struggles for her life in the Capitol’s blood games with one thought in mind: survive for the sake of her family. As Katniss fights back, little does she know that she is stirring up hope that has long been dead for the districts.

            The Hunger Games is a novel that caters to students are in 7^th through 9th-grade levels. This dystopian novel is not only interesting and engaging for many students, but it also offers a lot of educational significance in the classroom. According to one article, a school chose to teach The Hunger Games in their classroom because of “Collins’ critique of class politics, the novel’s emphasis on collective action against economic oppression, and the trilogy’s popularity with our students” (Marshall and Rosati). This novel could be used to teach TEKS 4.E, which states that students should practice “Comprehension skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking using multiple texts. The student uses metacognitive skills to both develop and deepen comprehension of increasingly complex texts. The student is expected to: (E) make connections to personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society” (TEKS). By using The Hunger Games, teachers can use characters that students have an emotional connection to relate to real class issues and economical oppression that is seen in the world today. The Hunger Games provides a platform of discussion for students to talk about these real-life struggles that we have seen through history and even in our current world today. Katniss teaches students that it is important to stand up for what you believe in, even if the world tells you the opposite. Another great factor in teaching The Hunger Games is Suzanne Collin’s strong female protagonist. But Katniss isn’t the perfect protagonist; in fact, she is extremely flawed. One person put that “Katniss... belongs to a recent tribe of popular heroines: the small, difficult teenage girl who manifests enormous physical and moral strength... representing female strength and female vulnerability all mingled and entwined, dangerously, ambiguously, into one” (Miller). Despite her flaws, this is what makes Katniss so relatable to many of the students that find themselves reading The Hunger Games. She is human, just like them. A girl who wants nothing more but to save her family from the injustices served to them by the Capitol. This presents a very compelling story and narrative for students of all backgrounds, making The Hunger Games a prime choice for teaching students in the classroom.

            Although the book is a fantastic read, there are some concerns when it comes to content that teachers must be aware of. This book has was listed as the number five most frequently challenged books on the basis of “insensitivity, offensive language, violence, anti-family, anti-ethic, and occult/satanic” (Bonhaus). It is important to note that this book is extremely violent, as many of the characters are forced to kill the others in brutal ways. Katniss even seems to develop PTSD from these moments where is forced to protect her own life by killing another. Many parents worry that this book’s excessive use of violence will numb children to the effects of violence; however, it is important to note that Katniss and many of the main characters that are followed throughout the novel do not treat death or violence lightheartedly. Students can see the effects of committing such an atrocity, even if it is for one’s survival, through the nightmares the characters have to endure for the rest of their lives. Due to the violence, although this book is a 5th-grade reading level, teachers should probably use this book to teach students of the 8^th and 9th-grade levels. This book should also be taught in a whole-class setting. It is important for teachers to frame this book correctly because of its violent nature, especially if teachers are using it to compare to historical events and even present issues and events today.

In the end, the parents get the final say. Alternative books that can be taught in place of The Hunger Games are classics such as The Giver by Lois Lowry, 1984, and Animal Farm by George Orwell. Although these books also deal with violence and class struggle, they are presented in a less realistic setting, creating some distance from the violence and the reader.

            Overall, The Hunger Games is a great book that can inspire a plethora of great conversations in the classroom. The book’s powerful and realistic characters are what draw readers into the story.  

 

Citations

Bonhaus, Allyson. "Why Ban ‘Hunger Games?’." The Leaf, 11 Apr. 2016, shsleaf.org/25923/ae/why-ban-the-hunger-games/. Accessed 4 May 2021. 

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic, 2009.  

Marshall, Elizabeth, and Matthew Rosati. ""May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor": Teaching Class and Collective Action with 'The Hunger Games'." Rethinking Schools, 2021, rethinkingschools.aidcvt.com/archive/28_04/28_04_marshall_rosati.shtml. Accessed 4 May 2021. 

Miller, Caroline. "Teenagers and 'The Hunger Games'." Child Mind Institute, 28 Feb. 2019, childmind.org/article/the-hunger-games-on-the-big-screen/. Accessed 4 May 2021. 

 

 

9th Ward

 

Author: Jewell Parker Rhodes

Title: Ninth Ward

Genre: Magical Realistic Fiction

Rhodes, Jewell P. Ninth Ward. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2010.

 

 

Grade Level: 8th grade

Pages: 168 pages 

Ninth Ward is a story about twelve-year-old Lanesha who lives through the traumatic events of Hurricane Katrina. Lanesha is from a small community in New Orleans where family and friends are everything. She is extremely close with her caretaker, Mama Ya-Ya who claims to have visions that predict the future. When these visions warn that a storm is going to hit, Lanesha must do whatever she can to make sure her and Mama Ya-Ya survive. 

Possible Teaching Concerns: 

There aren't a lot of teaching concerns as this was a book specifically written for children. It does surround a rather charged political issue, which would be the only concern that I would have when teaching this book. It is important for teachers to stay neutral on political issues and not push for one side over the other. The other concern might be the supernatural elements of this novel. I could see parents being a little concern; however, a lot of this is part of culture and genre of the book.

Personal Reactions:

I will be honest, I am not a huge fan for children's literature or for magical realism. The magical elements of this story really threw me off. I just didn't like it personally. Overall, I just wasn't a fan, but it wouldn't keep be from teaching this in the classroom.

Canonical Work:

I struggled to find a canonical work for this specific book but finally decided on The Call of the Wild by Jack London. This was one of my all time favorite books from when I was younger. I chose this book to pair with Ninth Ward because both deals with elements of injustice that cause both protagonists to have to fight for survival. 

Background to 9th Ward

 

 

The Call of the Wild (2019)

 

 

Pashmina

 

Author: Nidhi Chanani

Title: Pashmina

Genre: Graphic Novel

Chanani, Nidhi. Pashmina. First Second, 2017.

 

 

Grade Level: 8th grade

Pages: 168 pages

Pashmina is a graphic novel about a young Indian-American girl named Priyanka who has questions about her heritage and why her mother left India. She comes across a beautiful pashmina scarf that ends up sending her to a magical world that shows her the wonders of India. Here Priyanka learns more about herself and her family through the wonderful powers of the pashmina.

Possible Teaching Concerns: 

From what I read, I had no teaching concerns for this specific graphic novel. However, when I did more research I learned that the pashmina was actually an incorrect term for the scarf depicted in this graphic novel and was something that represented by a different ethnic group.

Personal Reactions:

I thought this novel is beautiful. I loved the colors and the artwork. Although this is probably something that I wouldn't pick up on my own, I loved the use of color in this graphic novel. I felt that it gave such a deeper meaning to to the text. Overall, a very enjoyable read and it is always great to add a graphic novel to the classroom, especially something that is also part of  multicultural literature.

Canonical Work:

The Silver Eye is an unpublished graphic novel about two young princes that are born to two warring family. As one prince begins to realize who he is and the responsibilities that lie ahead, the other tries to rectify the things that his family has done in the past. Although these are very different graphic novel, this is a graphic novel that I have been following since I was in 8th grade (and it is still being updated). It is a fantastic read and very complex story that is enjoyable for all age groups and is something that I will definitely end up using in my classroom one day. 

Link to The Silver Eye 

Interview with Nadhi Chanani

 

 

Hatchet

 

Author: Gary Paulsen

Title: Hatchet

Genre: Fiction

Paulsen, Gary. Hatchet. Simon & Schuster, 2009.

 

 

Grade Level: 7th grade

Pages: 186 pages

Hatchet is a fiction novel about thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson who survives a plane crash into the Canadian wilderness on his way to visit his father. The story follow Brian as he attempts to survive in the wilderness alone with only a hatchet until help arrives.

Possible Teaching Concerns: 

There is elements of suicide in this novel that could be triggering to some readers. After Brian fails to wave down an airplane, he attempts to kill himself with his hatchet. Again, this is just a concern that teachers should be aware of when teaching this book. Brian also encounters a lot of trauma during while trying to survive in the wilderness alone. Otherwise, this is a pretty clean book and a fun read for junior high or early high school.

Personal Reactions:

I read this book in 5th grade and absolutely loved it. My teacher used literature circles where we got to pick specific books we wanted to read and then were put into group accordingly. I think I would do the same with this novel. I think it is a very interesting read for young readers, especially young men who like to read about survive or enjoy survival video games such as mine craft. I think Brian also has many home issues that he deals with (such as having divorced parents) that many students can relate to.

Canonical Work:

 

Lord of the Flies is a dystopian novel written by Lois Lowry about a group of boys who are stranded on an island and forced to figure out how to govern themselves. This goes horrible wrong and end violently for the boys, as the revert to violent and feral animals themselves. Although Hatchet and Lord of the Flies have different plots, both books center around the theme of survival. These themes are looked at very differently in both novels making an interesting pair to put into conversation with one another.

 

A Cry in the Wild Trailer (Hatchet Adaptation 1990) 

 Lord of the Flies Trailer (1990)

 

Unwind

 

Author: Neal Shusterman

Title: Unwind

Genre: Science Fiction

Shusterman, Neal. Unwind. Simon & Schuster, 2009.

 

 

Grade Level: 10th - 12th grade

Pages: 335 pages

Unwind is a science fiction novel that follows the perspectives of Connor, Lev, and Risa, who are teens on the run after being handed over to be unwind. They live in a society that has basically deemed it to be lawfully right to be able to turn over children who are troubled, untalented, and or out of place in society in order to be repurposed for body parts. Connor, Lev, and Rise must survive until their 18 years old in order to avoid being unwind.

Possible Teaching Concerns: 

This particular book (and series) is very unsettling.  This was another book that kept me up at night when I originally read it. There is some language and sexual content in it as well. Teacher should just be aware who picks this up in their classroom. The book also deals with some controversial themes. It is based off of what would happened if the United States when to into Civil War over abortion. The Bill of Life is the compromise that has come from that war. Teachers should know their students. If this is something that they know would stir up unhelpful conversation then they should steer clear of this book.

Personal Reactions:

I think there are a lot of great conversations that this book can bring up. Although I doubt our world would ever get to the point where we would digress as a society to this extent, it definitely is a warning. I think that this book bring up important topics that can relate to our society today. This would be another book that I would probably use in a literature circle. I think I would probably only recommend it to specific students that I felt were mature enough to hand it.

Canonical Work:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is about a monster that is created by a scientist called Victor. At some point in the story, Victor is able to bring this mass of body parts to life but is then terrified by what he creates. He runs away from the monster and abandons the creature to fend for itself. Later the scientist finds out that his brother was murder and Victor is convinced that this is the monster's doing. The monster then corners Victor and explains why he killed Victor's brother. When Victor asks the monster what he wants, the monster explains that he wishes to have a mate. In the end, Victor fails to create a mate for his monster and dies running away from his own creation. I decided to pair these two works together because I feel that they have a lot of similarity. The story of Frankenstein often deals with themes that surround how we define humanity. We see this question arise in the Unwind series, as these children are a product of their society, yet they are viewed as useless individuals. 

Unofficial Unwind Trailer 

Interview with Neal Shusterman

 

 

Frankenstein Clip 

 

 

 

Divergent

Author: Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent

Genre: Dystopian

Roth, Veronica. Divergent (Divergent Trilogy, Book 1). HarperCollins UK, 2013.

 

 

Grade Level: 9th

Pages: 487 pages

Divergent is a book set in a dystopian world and told from sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior's perspective. In this world, their society is divided into five groups: Dauntless; the fearless, Candor; the honest, Amity; the kind, Abnegation; the selfless, Erudite; the intelligent. These groups are known as factions and everyone in this society takes an aptitude test to help decide where they will chose to go when they are sixteen-years-old. Beatrice, also known as Tris, gets Abnegation, Dauntless, and Abnegation, in her aptitude test making her Divergent. In order to survive, Tris must choose a faction and hide her Divergent qualities.

Possible Teaching Concerns: 

For the most part this book is relatively clean. It can be violent at times, as Dauntless requires many of the characters to fight in order to make in into the Dauntless faction. Several characters dies, some more brutally than others. There is also an instance when Tris is sexually assaulted by one of the characters in the story. Again, it is important to know your classroom before teach triggering content.

Personal Reactions:

Again, this was a series I dearly loved growing up. I think this would be another great novel to use in a literature circle for students who enjoy dystopian novels. There are a lot of great themes to explore through this novel, and there is a series for students who want to enjoy more of Tris and Four. This is one of those stories where they're is a great balance between the action and the romance of the story. For the most part, the novel is pretty clean making a great choice for students. 

Canonical Work:

The Giver by Lois Lowry is a Speculative Fiction novel that depicts a society that has made itself into a Utopia. It follows the perspective of 12-year-old Jonas who has been selected to become the communities next Receiver. As Jonas fulfills his new role as Receiver by receiving memories for the community from the Giver, he begins to realize the dark side of this Utopian society. I chose this book as a canonical pairing because both books depict a utopian system that has failed its people and turned into a dystopian society. Both Tris and Jonas are outliers in their society and forces them to pick and choose the path that was given to them in order to survive. Divergent offers a modern twist to The Giver's plot line and would be a great novels to put in conversations with one another. 

Divergent Trailer 

Giver Trailer

Veronica Roth Interview

 

The Maze Runner

 

Author: James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner

Genre: Dystopian

Dashner, James. The Maze Runner. Delacorte P, 2014.

 

 

Grade Level: 8th - 10th

Pages: 375 pages

The Maze Runner is a dystopian novel that involves a group of young boys who are sent to a maze as an experiment for science. The book follows the perspective of sixteen-year-old Thomas, who arrives at the Maze with now memory of who he is and where he is from. Together with his friends, they solved the puzzle of Maze in order to gain back their freedom.

Possible Teaching Concerns: 

I believe I read this book as a 10th grader and it gave me nightmares (lol). It is definitely a thriller and at times can be very dark. This book shows how dark humanity can get when trying to preserve themselves. I don't think this would be a book to read for the whole class, but a book chosen for literature circles. For the most part, the book has no language as the boys have made up their own array of swear words that mean nothing to our own society. There aren't any sexual moments, other than some of the boys commenting about wanting to kiss or call dibs on Teresa -- the only girl in the maze. The violence is the main concern for this novel as some of the boys are killed by monsters that reside in the Maze.

Personal Reactions:

This is one of my favorite series. I went through a phase where I was really into dystopian novels and this series quickly became my favorite. I would love to have this in my classroom and possibly use it in literature circles. It is a fantastic book for those who like dystopian novels and I think this particular book would be very engaging for young men as there is a lot of action and very minimal amounts of romance in it.

Canonical Work:

1984 is a novel set in another dystopian world following the perspective of Winston Smith. In Winston Smith's world, the government keeps close tabs on all the people that they govern. Propaganda is pushed out to the public, reminding them that "Big Brother is watching you", basically saying that the government is keeping an eye on everyone's actions and words. Although 1984 has a very different plot when compared to The Maze Runner, they both are worlds where power has been taken away from the people through advance technology after a catastrophe that strikes the world. For Maze Runner, the world is shaken by a deadly pandemic, while 1984 is after a devastating world war. 

Maze Runner Trailer (2014)

 Interview with James Dashner

1984 Trailer