The Geeky Shopaholic

Katniss Everdeen. My New Hero.

11th January 2012 | Books | 10 comments

There is just so much to love about Katniss Everdeen as a hero. I love that she is smart, resourceful and willing to do whatever it takes to survive, and protect her family. I love that in spite of the circumstances she finds herself in she never loses her humanity. I love that she allied with Rue in The Hunger Games. I love that she wanted misfits like Mags, Nuts and Volts on her team in Catching Fire. But most of all I love that in the end she chooses hope.

I couldn’t help but compare Katniss to another popular YA heroine, Bella Swan. I enjoyed the Twilight books, I truly did, but there were so many things about Bella that just made me want to strangle her! I mean she was willing to give up everything for a boy! Katniss would never have left her family behind, by choice, for some guy. Katniss may be seriously flawed, but for the most part her priorities are right.

Yes, there is a love triangle in The Hunger Games, but romance isn’t the most important part of these books. These books are about war, and what people are willing to sacrifice for freedom. And it’s told from the viewpoint of a 17 year old girl, who has to face hardships and make decisions that no kid should ever have to make.

I’m not a parent, but I always thought that if I ever have children, that there are certain books that I want to share with them, especially if I have a daughter. I want her to read Nancy Drew, Anne of Green Gables, Emily of New Moon, Harry Potter, and now The Hunger Games. Twilight not so much.

I want my daughter to read about characters that are strong, that stand up for what they believe in, that are fiercely loyal to their family and friends, and that have confidence in themselves. These are the things I love best about the characters I mentioned above, and I want my children, if I ever have any, to know and love these characters as well.

And if my future kid is anything like me, Katniss Everdeen will definitely be a favorite.

So, have you read The Hunger Games Trilogy? What did you think? Any favorite characters? If you are a parent, do you have any books that you want to share with your kids?

No related posts.

10 Comments

Kareena

11th January 2012 at 6:47 PM permalink

I think The Hunger Games trilogy should be taught in schools.

[Reply]

Jennifer Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 6:54 PM

I suspect it will be someday. I think in 2010, The Hunger Games made the top 10 most challenged books list. (Read: top 10 books people tried to ban)
Jennifer recently posted..Whosday: Thoughts on “Worlds in Time”My Profile

[Reply]

Paula Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 7:16 PM

I think that Jennifer is right, and that it will be someday. :)

[Reply]

Jennifer

11th January 2012 at 6:51 PM permalink

I agree with you 100%: Katniss, though very much imperfect, is still a wonderful character that I admire a lot. I finished the series last October or November. Once I got started, I just couldn’t put them down! I think Katniss is great, but I also really liked Cinna. He might even win out for favorite character over Katniss, depending on my mood. He was just so awesome. :)

I’m not a parent, but if I ever have children, I’ll have to share “The Hero and the Crown” and “The Blue Sword” with them. I remember really looking up to the sword-fighting, horseback riding, magic-wielding female leads in those books. The Hobbit, Chronicles of Narnia, and Sherlock Holmes would be other musts, along with the ones you mentioned in your post. (Never read Emily of New Moon, though.)

[Reply]

Paula Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 7:05 PM

Yes! I love Cinna too! And of course Peeta and Haymitch! But Katniss, obviously, just really struck a chord with me.

OMG! I can’t believe I forgot to mention The Chronicles of Narnia and The Hobbit! Those are favorites I want my kids to read too! :)

If you ever have a chance to read the Emily of New Moon series, it’s really good. It’s a lot darker than the Anne books.

[Reply]

Jennifer Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 9:03 PM

I’ll have to give it a look. :)
Jennifer recently posted..Whosday: Thoughts on “Worlds in Time”My Profile

[Reply]

Lilscorpiosweet

11th January 2012 at 6:55 PM permalink

I have only begun to read the trilogy. I finished The Hunger games and dying for more. I can’t wait to borrow from my local library the other books as soon as I am able.

As a parent I am allowing my kids to find books that they identify with and will fall in love with over and over again. I have a hand in helping them but for the most part its their own adventure. I show them by example and hopefully they will find a book or books as good as the Harry Potter series and The Hunger Games trilogy.

Wonderful blog! Love how you described it and if I hadn’t read The Hunger Games I would now.

Thanks!
Lilscorpiosweet recently posted..These are a few of my favorite things…My Profile

[Reply]

Paula Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 7:15 PM

I know that once I started reading, I couldn’t put the books down! And it had been months since I read a book I could say that about. :)

I certainly agree about letting kids pick there own reading path, my parents let me. Of course, my parents weren’t big readers, which I think is one reason I want to share certain books with my future kids, I never really had anyone to talk about books with and I want my kids to have that. :)

“Wonderful blog! Love how you described it and if I hadn’t read The Hunger Games I would now.”

Thank you so much for this compliment! It made my day!

[Reply]

Alexandra

16th January 2012 at 2:04 PM permalink

Can’t wait to see the movie (did you see they released a picture of the Effie character in costume – fantastic). A good friend referred to the Hunger Games as an amazing mix of “gore and high couture,” which I think is so apt.

On a random note related to fashion, do you read Susan Wagner’s blog? Think you would enjoy it if you don’t –> http://workingcloset.com/

[Reply]

geeky_shopaholic Reply:
January 16th, 2012 at 7:33 PM

That description definitely fits! I love it! :)

Yes, I read Susan’s blog too! It’s one of my favorites!

[Reply]

Leave a Reply

CommentLuv badge