Yesterday it was 21° F in Wisconsin.  There’s snow on the ground and my car’s keyhole is constantly freezing.  I’ve managed to perfect my juggling of purse, tote bag, coffee, keys, and de-icer spray bottle by holding the cap in my teeth on my way out each morning.  Needless to say, it’s chilly here.

So when life throws frost your way, what’s a girl to do but enjoy a little old school romance?

source: daemonsbooks.com

It’s like Edward vs. Jacob all over again, but better!  Honestly ladies, these are some great guys.  So let’s talk about them!

If you haven’t yet read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, you’re missing out.  The trilogy is a very fast read, you won’t want to put it down.  The books in order are The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay.  The story is placed in the future where a post-Apocalyptic North America is made up of 12 districts surrounding one Capital.  Every year, the Capital hosts the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death consisting of one boy and one girl from each district.  Collins writes dystopian society as well as George Orwell in my opinion, or Aldous Huxley, who were two of my favorite authors growing up.  But now, if we asked a group of young adults to all read 1984, or Brave New World, I’m guessing there would be some groaning.  Ah, but The Hunger Games has two things on its side:

The first is one bad ass protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, a rebel in her own right, and destined to be a symbol for the nation.  Bonus:  Sara Grambusch is writing all about Katniss’ journey as heroine on her blog today!  Check it out!

The second win, which I’ll be focusing on, is the boys!

Source: google images

Collins has taken two extremes right out of the High School walls and placed them into Katniss’ life.  The first is Gale, tall, dark and handsome.  He is Katniss’ only good friend and they are hunting partners.  So Gale is the equivalent of the athlete friend who pushes you to be your best in the game.  And of course, he’s got amazing abs.

Then there’s Peeta.  Blonde, blue eyed, and kind.  Peeta once saved Katniss’ life long ago, but they’ve never spoken since.  He and his family make a living as bakers and Peeta knows how to do all the decorative work.  So if Peeta was in High School today, he’d be the quite but adorable boy in art class who pines for the alternative girl.

See?  You’re already choosing sides aren’t you?  Well, just stop it right now!

You have to read the books!!!  The situations that Collins places her characters into will make you think twice about what kind of person they are.  This goes for Katniss too.  Through their actions and responses, the author lays out a very interesting look into war and survival.  This may even be a great book to read with your young adult children to get them talking about the topics discussed in the book.

Plus, you know how when writers talk about plotting, and they ask you what’s the one thing your character would fear most, now make them do it!  That’s every book in The Hunger Games trilogy.  Collins will repeatedly push everyone into situations they DO NOT want to go into, but they must every time.  The reason I think that works in her books is because the implications that will happen if the character doesn’t have to do with people’s lives and their relationships.  I hated the book, Hatchet by Gary Paulson when I read it in middle school because the main character was constantly in battle with nature or the next catastrophe.  It didn’t seem believable that so much could happen to one person.  In using other people to weigh on the character’s decisions, Collins nailed this!

See for yourself in the new trailer:

Your turn!  Who are you rooting for?  What other literary characters are keeping you warm this winter?  Can’t Get Enough Hunger Games?  Good!  Read Sara’s blog too!