The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival.

Summary provided by bn.com

Title: "The Hunger Games"
Author: Suzanne Collins
Original Publication Date: 2008
Publishers Recommended Age: 12 and up
Beth's Recommended Age: 14 and up
Beth says: One of the best books I have ever read

I absolutely love "The Hunger Games"!  It is easily one of my favorite books.  Since the books original publication, I have read the book at least five or six times.  Each time, I am in awe of the depth of the characters and the breadth of the world Suzanne Collins built with her words. 

The book is set is dystopian America where the Capitol controls the districts.  Katniss, a poor girl from district 12 is such a strong heroine.  She has the survival instinct taught to her through years of starving that gives her the strength to fight throughout the games.  I love Katniss' character and the struggle she has in killing.  The relationships Katniss builds shows the impact she has on those around her without even realizing it. 

The whole book grips you from the moment you read it.  Whether it is Katniss' love for her family, Peeta's love for Katniss, the brutality and depravity of the Capitol or the suspense of the games themselves.  Suzanne Collins melds the gladiator games and reality TV that leaves you wanting more. 

I gave this book a 14 and up recommendation.  Although there is no language or sex, it is quite violent.  Not only that, but the violence is kids killing kids.  Collins does a good job in not being too graphic while still articulating the appalling nature of the games and the gross brutality it involves. 
However, due the nature of the violence and the seriousness of the topic, I think this book is more geared toward high school and above.

Content:  WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD

Sexual: Peeta and Katniss kiss several times, but the scenes are short and are not graphic.  They do sleep in a cave together, but it is in a survival setting and Katniss is trying to keep Peeta alive.   All in all, there is very little sexual content and the focus is not on the physical relationship between them.

Language: As much as I recall, there is no cursing in this book.

Violence: Although Suzanne Collins handles the violence well, the story of the games is very violent.  The youngest tribute in the games is 12, so you have very young children plotting as to how they will use weapons to kill another one.  Ms. Collins is not too graphic, but there is a few of the deaths that is hard to read.  Also, Katniss and Peeta choose to kill themselves versus having to kill one.  Although this does not end up happening, they get the poisonous berries in their mouth before they are stopped and declared victorious.  I caution anyone who has a weak disposition when it comes to reading violence especially with children when reading it; there are some parts that are tough to read.