I've said before that reading literary classics are important, but new fiction is just as vital to creating a well-rounded curriculum. When I decided to implement this unit, I had several books in mind to read in class, but The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins was a the right choice for my 8th graders. Not only is it a buzz-worthy book and has been recommended by Stephenie Meyer (author of the Twilight Saga, for those of you who have been living under a rock), but the novel has received rave reviews from critics, and even Stephen King has acknowledged its worthiness in a review for Entertainment Weekly that you can read about here. I wanted to pick a novel that both male and female students would enjoy, but I didn't want a novel that was as popular as Twilight and the like. The Hunger Games met all of my criteria, and is a book that also has a sequel, Catching Fire, coming out in September. Series books are HUGE in fiction right now (hello Patterson fans!) and using this book was another way I could address why that is. You may find other contemporary books that meet your specific needs, but pick up a copy of The Hunger Games before you decide against it, especially if you teach secondary students because this book may be too violent for elementary school kiddos. Click on this link to read a brief synopsis of the book.
Students need to see just how "contemporary" your novel is, so sign up for the computer lab or your laptop carts, or use your overhead to project your internet findings. Find the author's website and have the kids browse it. Suzanne Collins has two different sites devoted to The Hunger Games. The UK version, you can find here, and the United States version, here. Explain to your students that most newly published novels will have companion websites. These websites will tell you more about the book and might even have games readers can play, which is the case for The Hunger Games website. Today's literature is interactive and is very internet friendly. From blogs, to book clubs, and reader-created fansites, contemporary literature is "hip" to the times.
Browsing your author or publisher's website will not only create interest in the book, but it will show the students that reading isn't just about dusty old literature, sitting on a library shelf. Reading can be cool, and isn't just for bookworms! Literature nowadays is faster-paced and captivates the reader from the first page and keeps them holding on until the last page. Discuss why readers today might demand faster-paced fiction than they did in the past and have students share what they look for in a good book. After having this discussion, go back to The Hunger Games website. Read the synopsis of The Hunger Games. This synopsis is found on the Scholastic website by clicking here. Ask your students if they are eager to read this book after reading the synopsis and browsing the novel's website. Again, ask students to analyze why publishers would create partner websites to books. Students should be able to understand that novel websites are marketing tools for the publishing world, which is another element of today's media advertising students must acknowledge and understand.
See Part II of this article for more teaching tips for The Hunger Games or another contemporary fiction novel.
