From: Christine Taylor-Butler <kansascitymom_at_earthlink.net>
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:33:14 -0500

I'm tutoring college bound high school students who devoured the series (who says urban kids don't read). My husband and daughters are also hooked on the series. I thought the setting - both of her hometown in contrast to the Capitol was stunning.

Having said that - the teens thought the movie was true to the spirit of the book, but suggested the movie was "light" in that it left critical things out or rearranged some facts. Students can be very literal and want every nuance covered. I told them it was impossible to do everything within the construct of a 2+ hour movie. Still, they were satisfied, filled in the "blanks" from information in the book and already the Team Peta versus Gale alliances are already lining up.

Anything that can get kids reading is a good thing. What I wonder is why the popularity doesn't lead to other books such as Neal Schusterman's UNWIND. That was the book recommended as a follow up by the teens (actually it was their favorite) and I found myself reading it cover to cover in two sittings…..

Maybe the "hunger" for literature will make more stars of additional writers out there….Christine
Received on Mon 23 Apr 2012 03:33:14 PM CDT