Tag Archives: The Hunger Games

Book Covers: What My Freshmen Think

21 May

A week ago I posted about what my Y.A. Lit students think of book covers.  The day it posted I received tons of feedback and also passed out a book covers survey to my freshmen to get a broader view.  This time I added two parts to the survey: providing their gender and providing examples of book covers they like.  I polled 43 boys and 34 girls for a total of 77 freshmen.  My post also includes images of some of the covers mentioned in the surveys.

1. What about a book draws your attention the most?

  • Cover design–58%
  • Author/reviewer blurb–3%
  • Summary–39%

2. What kind of cover design do you prefer the most?

  • Models on the cover–25%
  • Objects/scenes related to the story–75%

**Note–This was the same in my Y.A. Lit class**

3. What kind of color combination draws you the most?

“There isn’t really a color combination that draws me in more than others.”

“Red and black”

“Bright colors”

“Red mixed with black and white”

“Bright and dark in one”

“Pink, purple, blue–cute colors”

“Green and yellow”

“Orange and blue”

“Neon or 1 or 2 solid colors and an all caps, stencil, huge title.”

“I really don’t care, but if it has fun colors it will catch my attention.”

“It doesn’t matter, I pretty much read what you say is good.”

4. Is font style & placement important to you? Explain.

  • Yes–40%
  • No–60%

“Bold and artistic to draw me in to see what the title is.”

“Not really. It’s more about what it says than the font or placement.”

“I like it when the font is popped out and in your face.”

“Not really, it really depends on what’s between the covers.”

“The author’s name should be at the bottom.”

“Not really because I’m going to read the title no matter what.”

“I Hunt Killers is a good example when font matters.”

5. Would you feel comfortable reading a book w/a gender-specific feel to it? (Guys reading a book w/a “girly” cover.)

  • Yes–65%
  • No–35%

“Not really, unless somebody points it out (multiple times).” –Male

“I don’t care as long as it’s a good book.” –Male

“Yeah, as long as it’s not hardcore manly.” –Female

6. Do you prefer to see the character’s “face” or would you rather imagine the character on your own?

  • See the character’s face–34%
  • Use your imagination–66%

“Seeing the face ruins the book for me.”

“Seeing their face is easier, but imagining them is more fun so either one.”

“I do sometimes. I really like the models on the covers of Wither and Fever.”

7. If possible, please provide some examples of covers that you like and why.

“Divergent–The symbol looks to be on fire, and it is connected to the story.”

“Bad Girls Don’t Die, Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment, If I Stay, Where She Went, Night World.  All of these books have interesting covers.”

“I like the cover for Stupid Fast because it looks like he’s alone; it makes you wonder.”

“Payback Time because it’s about sports.”

“Epic Fail–It’s cute and fun.  Catching Jordan–It kind of explains the book.”

“The Hunger Games–Looks tough and serious.  Shiver–Draws my attention.”

“Anything by Simone Elkeles. Hers have models and they really interest me.  I like covers that look romantic.”

“Fracture, The Hunger Games, and Living Dead Girl because they leave you with questions.”

“Other Words for Love because it’s cute.”

“Split and Crescendo“

“Catching Jordan–Cute and pops”

“The Pull of Gravity because I like the colors and how you can see the characters, but everything’s sort of muted.”

“I like the cover for I Hunt Killers because it catches my attention.  I also like the cover for Trapped because it helps me visualize the school they were trapped in.”

“Forever by Judy Blume and Boy Meets Boy because Forever is girly and I like the colors in Boy Meets Boy.”

“House of  Night, The Mortal Instruments, Hush, Hush, stuff like that.  I like that the models aren’t too detailed but enough to get an image of the character.”

“I like the cover for Across the Universe because there are people but not faces; it’s mysterious.”

“Boy 21, Paranoid Park, and I Hunt Killers because they just stick out or have the character on it.  They let you picture something while staying mysterious.”

“The House of Night series: This is because they show the main character’s unique tattoos.”

“Divergent–very bold”

“Insurgent because it makes me wonder why there is a tree with a circle around it.”

“The cover for Hold Still is good because even though it shows the girl, it also briefly tells the story just by looking at it.”

Judging Books By Their Covers: 10 Deceptive Covers

10 Apr

I try not to judge books by their covers, but I do more than I probably should.  Thankfully now that I’m blogging and active on Twitter and Goodreads, I’m reading far more reviews than I ever have before which has helped me look past covers.  When it comes to covers, I’ve found that I’m much more judgmental about them when I’m thinking about my students and what will draw their attention.  For these reasons I really like this Top 1o Tuesday prompt because it’s giving me a chance to narrow down the most deceptive covers.  When I put this list together, I thought about books that I was hesitant to read because of the cover, books that I wish were better suited for their audience, and books that give the wrong impression about the topic.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Goodreads): I’m a HUGE fan of this trilogy, but when I first heard about The Hunger Games at the MCTE (Michigan Council of Teachers of English) conference I was hesitant to jump on the bandwagon.  My friend and I stopped at a book store after the conference to check out some books and I passed up The Hunger Games because the cover looked boring.  Thankfully I looked past my judgment and read it.  I appreciate the cover now :)

Tris & Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison (Goodreads): This cover is gorgeous!  And it ends there.  I saw this cover and thought it was going to be a romantic, gushy book.  I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Besides the fact that this is one of the worst books I’ve ever read, the cover and the plot don’t mesh AT ALL.

Tempest by Julie Cross (Goodreads): There are two issues I have with this cover.  The first one is that I thought this was a book about fallen angels or something when I first looked at the cover.  The characters are in the sky, one is falling, the other is reaching, it screams paranormal love story to me.  I never would have guessed it’s about time travel.  I definitely wouldn’t have guessed that a guy is narrating the story.  That’s my second issue.  I can’t stand it when perfectly good books with guy appeal are given girly covers.

I Know It’s Over by C.K. Kelly Martin (Goodreads): Both the hardcover and the paperback cover for this book are deceptive.  It’s obvious judging by both covers that Martin’s novel deals with a relationship.  I’m not sure who the audience is though.  Both covers are more appealing to girls than guys, but our narrator has an incredibly authentic male voice.  I really think guys would enjoy and relate to this book, but I don’t see any of my boys in class borrowing my copy.  I talked it up all over the place to grab the guys’ interest, but only the girls are borrowing it.

I Know It's Over Paperback Hardcover I Know It's Over

Cryer’s Cross by Lisa McMann (Goodreads):  Cryer’s Cross is a really cool book full of creepiness.  The original cover fits the mood perfectly with the desk and the creepy handwriting.  I am not thrilled with the paperback cover at all.  Romance is not a big focus in Cryer’s Cross, but this cover gives the impression that it is.  The mystery involved in the story isn’t represented in this cover either.

Hardcover Cryer's Cross Cryer's Cross Paperback

Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn (Goodreads): I love this book, and I love teaching it in my Y.A. Lit class.  One of the main reasons I’m such a big fan is because it’s almost always a winner for my reluctant male readers.  Admittedly, many of my students tell me that they would never pick this one up based on the original cover, but once we start reading it they really appreciate the cover.  When the paperback was released I showed my students to get their opinions.  For the most part they don’t care for it.  Their reasons match my own.  This cover says nothing about the book and the abuse that goes on.  The models don’t exactly look like they’re in love, but Nick’s anger isn’t represented.

Breathing Underwater Original Cover Paperback Breathing Underwater

The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler (Goodreads): Something about this cover leaves me with the impression that it’s girly and upbeat.  Maybe it’s the pink.  Maybe it’s the hip jutted out to the side.  The problem with this is that this is not an upbeat book.  Virginia is battling some heavy issues (no pun intended).  She has very low self-esteem, her brother has been accused of something horrible, and her family is falling apart.  It’s a good book, but the cover needs to look more serious to fit the tone of the book.

Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupula (Goodreads): Tell Me a Secret is an unputdownable book.  It deals with serious issues and broke my heart at the same time that it left me feeling hopeful.  I think the cover gives the impression that it’s a serious book, but it looks like it’s about a romantic relationship.  There really isn’t any romance to speak of.  Tell Me a Secret deals with Miranda’s sister’s death, Miranda’s pregnancy, and problems with Miranda and her parents.

But I Love Him by Amanda Grace (Goodreads): But I Love Him is another unputdownable book.  The cover, while being dark, doesn’t strike me as serious as the topic is.  The sea glass heart looks a little too friendly to represent a book about a broken and abusive relationship, but this heart is on the cover because of the symbol it represents within the story.

When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle (Goodreads): I haven’t finished reading When You Were Mine yet, but I’ve read enough to wish that the cover was different.  It’s a different spin on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, so we know it’s a love story and we get that impression from the cover.  I’m just not a fan of covers like this because it doesn’t give us any other information about the book.  It looks like any other love story out there, but based on the premise of this book it should have a cover with more personality or more of a story.

My Favorite Read Alouds

20 Mar

Did you have any teachers in high school that read a book to your class simply for the enjoyment of listening to a good book?  I didn’t.  I really don’t remember any of my middle school teachers doing this either.  A few of my elementary school teachers read to us, but it was less frequent after 3rd grade.  I’m thankful my parents read to my brother and me on a regular basis since this didn’t happen all that much at school.  When I was working towards my bachelor’s degree the idea of reading aloud to my future high school classes never occurred to me.

The summer I took Dr. Steffel’s YA Lit class at CMU my plans changed.  I’ve mentioned Dr. Steffel many times before, and it’s because she’s been such a positive influence on my teaching career.  On the first day of our class, we sat in a circle and she read Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos.  She used different voices and everything.  I was astounded!  I couldn’t believe we were being read to in a college course, but I loved it.  Even though Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key is young for a high school classroom, I really enjoyed the story.  Everything we did in class and everything Dr. Steffel did in class served a purpose; she wanted us to follow her lead and bring these lessons, strategies, ideas, etc. into our classrooms.

I tried my first read aloud while student teaching.  I had a few sophomore English classes, so I decided on Shattering Glass by Gail Giles.  It’s an edgy book, and there’s some bad language and mature situations, but it’s an excellent pick for reluctant readers.  I was  nervous about reading this during student teaching, but I went ahead and did it anyway.  I had a rationale prepared and everything.  My students loved it and often asked me to read “just one more chapter.”  Since then I’m much more comfortable reading books where characters swear, but I make sure to choose books that aren’t over the top in that category.  It sometimes shocks my students to hear me read those parts, but we have a conversation about why that language is in the book and how we won’t be using that language in class.

So let’s get to my favorites already! :)   I like these books for a number of reasons, but one of the most important qualities I look for in a potential read aloud is the amount of dialogue.  Too much dialogue can get confusing when reading it aloud, especially since the kids don’t have the book in front of them to follow along.  I also try to pick books that I know will be entertaining and have a nice moral. Shorter chapters are always a plus too.  And I need to really like the book too, because otherwise I’m not going to enjoy reading it out loud over and over again.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (Goodreads)–I’ve read Speak out loud so many times!  It’s such a powerful story and so easy for my students to relate to.  Plus, since Melinda isn’t speaking to anyone all that much, most of the book is made up of her thoughts and opinions which is easy for the kids to follow.  The characters are well developed, and well, it’s Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.  Do I need more reasons? ;)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Goodreads)–Last trimester is the first time I’ve read this out loud.  My freshmen were really interested in it because of the upcoming movie (Ahh!! This Friday!!), so I decided to give it a shot as a read aloud.  Some of my students weren’t sure at first because the beginning of the book is a big slow as the world develops and we get to the training center and the actual games.  Once we reached that point, they were begging for more chapters.  It helps that many of the chapters end with cliffhangers.  My only complaint is that the chapters are so long.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins (Goodreads) (My Review)–I don’t remember what prompted me to choose Hex Hall as a read aloud, but I did for the first time last year.  I read it to my freshmen and the majority of them LOVED it.  In one class, we even went on to read the sequel Demonglass.  Oh my gosh did we race through that book!  It ran right into the very end of the school year, but we finished it.  Sophie is very clumsy, sarcastic, and easy to like.  She reminds me of  a female Ron Weasley.  There’s some foul language in Hex Hall, but nothing that was overly shocking or made me pause.  I should note that in general, I’m on the liberal side of things when it comes to YA and what I put in my classroom.  Many of my students prefer realistic fiction, but besides one or two in each class, even my die-hard contemps fans liked Hex Hall.  The guys even laughed and wanted me to read more :)   I read it again this year to a new group of freshmen and had the same enthusiastic response.

Boy21 by Matthew Quick (Goodreads) (My Review)–I’m actually in the middle of reading Boy21 aloud for the first time.  I’m reading it to my freshmen classes, but I wasn’t sure what they would think.  After reading Hex Hall and The Hunger Games this year, I didn’t know how my kids would react to a sudden switch to something realistic.  We voted on Friday, and the majority of all my classes chose to keep reading it.  Boy21 is a powerful read with a fantastic message without being preachy.  It’s diverse, has guy appeal without alienating the girls, and it’s humorous.  The chapters are short so I have more flexibility in how much I choose to read each day.  Finley doesn’t like to talk that much, so the dialogue is balanced with Finley’s thoughts and observations.  Right now my kids are really curious about Russ, aka Boy21, and what’s going to happen between him and Finley as the story progresses.

Here are a few more titles I’ve had success with reading aloud:

  • My Brother’s Keeper by Patricia McCormick (Goodreads)
  • Harris and Me by Gary Paulsen (Goodreads)
  • Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson (Goodreads)

Here are some titles that I’ve recently read and plan to read aloud in the future:

  • Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip by Jordan Sonnenblick (Goodreads) (My Review)–I just finished reading this book, and I just know my students would love it as a read aloud.  It has a wonderful balance of narration and dialogue.  It’s really funny and full of heart.  It’s a clean book in regards to sex and language, but there is a minor scene that involves drinking.  I think it’d work for middle school classrooms as well as high school classrooms.
  • Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin (Goodreads) (My Review)–We read so many serious stories in high school that I like to mix it up and read something funny out loud when I get the chance.  Kelsey is hilarious and just a fun character to read.  This is a pretty clean book as well which I always appreciate.  There are a couple scenes with drinking, but I they’re definitely not glorifying it!  I think we’re going to finish Boy21 with enough time to read another book, and if that happens I’ll be reading this one to my freshmen next :)   I love this book and would read it to more than just my freshmen.

Book Trailer Thursday (42)–The Hunger Games!!

17 Nov

There’s a good chance most of you have already seen the official movie trailer for the movie The Hunger Games.  I have to feature the trailer anyway because I’m WAY excited for the movie!  I’ve shown my classes and now I’m showing all of you :) So… What do you think?  Have you read The Hunger Games?  Do you plan to read the book (or finish the series)?  How many of you want to see the movie?!  Just from the trailer, it looks like they’re staying faithful to the story.  **Fingers crossed that they do**

I did want to search out some additional book trailers, but in all honesty, I’m simply too busy.  I’m leaving for Chicago to attend NCTE/ALAN this afternoon and I’ve been running around like a crazy person trying to pack and prep my classroom before leaving.

Banned Books Week: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

27 Sep

It’s Banned Books Week so I’m highlighting a different banned book each day this week.  My posts will include the banned book, where/why it’s been banned (or challenged), my opinion, and a student’s opinion.  I’m also hosting a banned books giveaway, so I hope you’ll check it out and enter to win a banned book of your choice.

Banned Book: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Where/Why It’s Been Banned: “Challenged and presented to the Goffstown, N.H. school board (2010) by a parent claiming that it gave her eleven-year-old nightmares and could numb other students to the effects of violence.” (Source–Quote taken from ALA banned books resource page)

My Thoughts: I can understand the parent being upset about her child having nightmares, but The Hunger Games wasn’t written for her child’s age group.  I know 11-12 year-olds that read this trilogy, but they’re obviously mature enough for it, although I question how much they comprehend.  It’s a parent’s responsibility to be aware of what her child is reading and whether her child is ready for the book he/she has chosen.

I won’t deny that The Hunger Games is a violent book.  But do we really want to make that argument when there’s so much violence in TV, movies, and video games?  And besides arguing which is more violent, we need to think about the reason behind the violence in Collins’ novel.  Many of my students who read this trilogy comment on how they can see something like the Reaping or the Hunger Games really happening.  We have conversations about violence in the media today and how shocking this story is.  This trilogy hooks my most reluctant readers and drives thoughtful discussion.  If there’s violence in the media that will make our students numb, it’s not the violence in The Hunger Games.

Student Response: One of my former students, Caroline, wrote this response for me because she’s awesome and knew that I procrastinated and didn’t have a current student write one in time.  “I don’t understand why a teenager would have nightmares over this novel at all. This is one I could not put down. I felt super-glued to the pages. If your eleven-year-old is having nightmares over this, you may have over-sheltered them. Watch what your sensitive kid reads, but don’t tell others what to read. I suggested this book to my ten-year-old sister, and if I had a copy I know she would read it without the effects of nightmares. There are definitely worse books out there.”

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

2 Aug

Lisa McMann The Unwanteds

390 pp.  Aladdin (Simon & Schuster)  2011  ISBN: 978-1-4424-0768-8

Source: Received from the publisher

Interest: First MG title from author

Release Date: August 30, 2011

Summary (From Goodreads):

Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths.

Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret—behind the mirage of the “death farm” there is instead a place called Artime.

In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it’s a wondrous transformation.

But it’s a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron’s bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

The best way to describe Lisa McMann’s first middle grade title is “magical dystopian.”  This is a wonderful novel that both middle grade and young adult readers will love.  I can’t wait to add this to my classroom library; it will probably even make a fun read aloud.

The first thing I need to mention is the writing–it’s excellent.  I love Lisa’s YA novels and the writing style she uses in them.  Her books are read and enjoyed by both my low level and high level readers.  Her style and voice in The Unwanteds, however, is completely different, but in a fantastic way.  There’s something almost whimsical to her writing style in this book.  I don’t know if she did that on purpose to fit the book or what, but it stood out and won me over.

I’m calling this book a magical dystopian because it’s such an interesting mix of both.  Kirkus Reviews says this about The Unwanteds “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.”  I agree with the Harry Potter comparison because the school, Mr. Today, and some of the characters are similar, but they certainly stand out as their own characters.  I can see some similarities to The Hunger Games like the Purge and the Reaping, but that was about as far as it went for me.  Hopefully that blurb will grab more reader’s attention, but I don’t want this book to lose it’s originality either.  Besides all of that, I noticed more magic and fantasy in this novel than dystopian elements.  Much of the novel focuses on the school and Alex’s and the others’ education and preparation for a possible battle with the Wanteds.  The characters are learning about life beyond the dullness of Quill and the use of magic.  The possible war with the Wanteds adds the elements of dystopia.

The world building, for the above reasons, is fantastic and I really enjoyed the characters.  The kids are at the perfect middle grade age, but they’re forced into a situation that causes them to become more mature.  They’ve moved on from a life of strict rules, to a school full of creativity, free-thinking, and choice.  They’re given these opportunities because it leaves them room to grow and mature.  I can see kids of any age responding to this in a positive way.  The element of mystery brought on by Mr. Today and the bond between twins, Aaron and Alex, really added to the story.  Mr. Today is a very compassionate and understanding man, but the way he speaks and acts leaves just enough to make you wonder what’s really going on.  I love that normally inanimate objects like whiteboards have become characters in the story.  This is an incredibly fun book to read.

Besides wanting to know if they were ever going to actually follow through with all the preparing for a possible war with the Wanteds, I enjoyed this novel thoroughly.  I really can’t wait to buy a finished copy and give it a home in my classroom.

Top Books Read in May-June

24 Jun

Normally I would have put a Top Books Read post together for May, but since we were only in school in June until the 15th I decided to combine both months.  My students read a wide variety of books, with a total of 185 different titles!

These books were the most popular…

Top Books for the Months May & June (Borrowed 7-9 times):

Borrowed 6 Times:

Borrowed 4-5 Times:



Borrowed 3 Times:





Top Books Read in April

14 May

I should have posted this a couple weeks ago–oops! :P   My kids did pretty well with the amount of books that have been read, but May is looking even better right now!  All together over 100 different books were borrowed and read in the month of April.  These books were borrowed and read the most…

Book of the Month (Borrowed 7 times):

Borrowed 4 times:

 Borrowed 3 times:




Borrowed 2 times:


Happy Mockingjay Day!

24 Aug

Since I just picked up my copy of Mockingjay I won’t be blogging much (today).  Plus, Keith and I are going to a Tigers game tonight with my parents :D   While I’m away, feel free to comment about your own Mockingjay excitement.  Or tell me about your favorite character(s) in the Hunger Games trilogy. 

**Please avoid spoilers**

“Looping” Classes

19 Aug

I’m sorry I’ve been slacking this week with book review updates.  The past couple days I’ve been at school working on curriculum.  I bet all of you are jealous because I had the pleasure of going into work during my summer break ;)   Although I have to admit that I’m excited about the changes made to the English 9 curriculum yesterday.  Today I worked on the “looping” sections (classes for ninth graders that failed sections of Eng.9).  There wasn’t much to change for the 1st tri repeats, but we made quite a few changes to tri 2 and 3 repeats.  Instead of reading The Odyssey a second (or *gasp* third) time, we’re going to read Make Lemonade by Viriginia Euwer Wolff.  It’s written in verse and the topic is relatable.  I’m super excited for tri 3 repeats.  Can you guess what I included in the curriculum?!

*Drumroll…..*

I included The Hunger Games and Unwind!!  Isn’t that soooo exciting!  Most of the students that have to repeat sections of English 9 are reluctant reading boys.  I’m pretty sure those two books will hold a boy’s interest :)  Plus, I’ve been successful with “non reading” boys when I handed them either of those.  Mr. Smith still needs to approve the purchase of everything, and it may not be feasable to buy them.  I’m hoping the school can manage it, especially since we want all of our students to succeed.

Anyway, I’m just about done with Before I Fall.  It’s driving me crazy that I haven’t finished reading it yet!  Once I finally do, I’ll write the review and try to decide what to read next.

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