Before “The Hunger Games” There Were…
The novel is popular with teens for its post-apocalyptic setting and 16-year-old heroine, Katniss Everdeen, who is forced into the annual battle of life and death known as “The Hunger Games.” Students seem drawn to this future dystopia that explores themes such as financial and social inequity, a culture of materialism and vanity and adolescent rebellion. The success of The Hunger Games has renewed student interest in other novels, both classic and lesser-known, that explore similar themes of dystopia, rebellion and coming of age. As teachers integrate popular literature into their curriculum to get students excited about reading, check out these previously published novels that they may also find interesting.
Ender’s Game
Published in 1994, Ender’s Game is the first book in a quintet written by Orson Scott Card. This novel was recently adapted into a film and centers around an intelligent boy named Andrew “Ender” Wiggin. Set in the future, Ender is chosen to be a student at the elite Battle School, where he will be trained to protect mankind from an impending hostile alien attack. While he is identified as a future leader, Ender struggles with his own identity and problems with his peers.
Lord of the Flies
William Golding’s classic novel of survival has long been taught in schools since its publication in 1959. Lord of the Flies is about a group of English school boys stuck on a desert island. Initially, the boys work together to survive, but as the remnants of civilization begin to crumble, things go horribly wrong.
1984
George Orwell’s novel still resonates with students today with its tale of “Big Brother” and the dangers of totalitarian governments. 1984 is set in a world of ongoing war and the main character, Winston Smith, is employed to rewrite newspaper articles in order to support the propaganda of the Ministry of Truth led by “Big Brother.” While Smith is careful to walk the line, he yearns to rebel.
Battle Royale
Before The Hunger Games, there was the 1999 Japanese novel Battle Royale. Written by Koushun Takami, this novel placed junior high school students on a deserted island where they battle to the death. Only one person can survive in a battle of both wit and strength. This novel was also adapted into a series of films.
Brave New World
Considered one of the best science fiction novels ever written, Brave New World takes the reader into a futuristic London where everyone is always happy and babies are created in hatchery-like environments and later divided into five castes. Aldous Huxley published this chilling novel in 1932.
Fahrenheit 451
Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 is a favorite among high school English classes. This 1953 novel transports us to future America where books are burned and the citizens spend their idle time watching television. The main character, Guy Montag, is a fireman whose job is to set books on fire. He lives a rather complacent life until his lively neighbor uses books to give him a glimpse of freedom and individuality.
Uglies
Published in 2005 and the first book of Scott Westerfeld’s hit series, Uglies is set in a future where all children are born “ugly.” At the age of 16, teenagers undergo extensive plastic surgery that turns them into “pretties.” The main character, teenager Tally Youngblood, soon finds out that being pretty is not all it is cracked up to be, inspiring her to rebel against the oppressive government.
The Giver
The Giver is used in many middle school English classes and is set in a future dystopian society where citizens know nothing of the past and blindly follow society’s expectations of conformity and “sameness.” Published in 1994 and written by Lois Lowry, the novel follows the main character Jonas who is chosen to be the next “Receiver of Memory.” Part of a quartet of novels and soon to be a feature film, The Giver resonates with children and adults of all ages.
What classic novels similar to The Hunger Games are you passionate about? Have you introduced them to your students? Join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook using the hashtags #hgteacher or #popreading