Reading, reading and more reading

Hi Class Welcome back to term 2.

Brad and Stephen modelling read to others.

This week I started to read the Hunger Games. One of my friends recommended this book to me as all three of her girls enjoyed the series. Even though I usually read non-fiction books, the Hunger Games has rekindled my love of Science Fiction.

Science Fiction books are often set in different reality, so the genre really makes you stop and think about human society. For those of you who enjoyed Percy Jackson series, you might be interested to know that the author's inspiration for the Hunger Games comes from the story of Thesus and the Minotaur, figures from Greek mythology.

 The book is set many years in the future in a country called Panem. The title of the book, The Hunger Games, refers to are an annual event in which one boy and one girl aged 12 to 18 from each of the 12 districts surrounding the Capitol are selected by lottery to compete in a televised battle to the death. The Hunger Games follow the journey of one the competitors, Katniss Everdeen.

Katniss was not initially selected for the Games but volunteered in place of her younger sister. I wonder what the significance is of choosing teenagers for the battle rather than adults and why Katniss would volunteer to take the place of her sister.

 The book was easy to read and the fast pace of the story kept me wanting to read more or even read the last few chapters before I I finish the rest of the book (which I often do when I love a story and what find out what happens). I had been reading the book on my train trips to and from school and got about three quarters of the way through the story before I lent the book to Courtney to read. I hope she finishes it quickly so I can find out what happens! Helen mentioned that there are two more books that follow on from the Hunger Games. Does anyone know what a series of three books are called?

 This week I also read Brian's Winter by Gary Paulsen. This book is the story about a boy whose plane crashed in the wilderness and he is forced to survive a harsh winter by himself. I have started this book a class read aloud because the story is so gripping and Paulsen is a prolific writer. I am hoping this book might lead a few more students to discover more about  this writer as Gary Paulsen has written a number of books about Brian.

 Ram asked me what was the first book I ever read. I can't remember which book was the first one I read, but I definitely remember my favourite childhood book it's called Bears in the Night. Many years have passed since I last read the book but I can still recite the story of the seven little bears who climb out of bed, out the window, through the woods, and up Spook Hill!

 How has your reading been going?

 Stephanie