The Reaping: District 2 (Win The Girl Who Was on Fire)

"From the trilogy's darker themes of violence and social control to reality television, fashion, and weaponry, the collection's exploration of the Hunger Games by other YA writers reveals exactly how rich, and how perilous, protagonist Katniss’ world really is." 

The winners have been contacted.  Thank all of you so, so much for participating. The enthusiasm for the books is a wonderful thing to witness. 


More chances to enter at The Hunger Games Trilogy Fansite and Adrienne Kress (Check out the excerpt of her essay about decadence.) and sharpest rose (March 30th only, BUT keep in mind her essay: "The Heart is a Weapon the Size of Your Fist"—you want to read that very much. 

Update: Wow. We are creeping up on 100 entries. Either way, this
contest ends soon. But there are lots more opportunities, like this one
at The Hob  starting today, Thursday, March 24 and ending April 5.

A Smart Pop book.

To celebrate the April 5th release of The Girl Who Was on Fire, I'm authorized to give away two copies of the book.The rules for this giveaway are simple. Just leave a comment at the end of this post saying that you would like to have the book. That's it. I'll keep this open until Friday or until there are a 100 comments (...that'll never happen.) On April 5th, I'll hold simple lottery, no battle to the death afterward.

Hey, you in OZ, Great Britain, Japan... this is for you too!

I think the essays in this book have the power to change how you think about The Hunger Games—to see the story in different lights.

With that in mind, I want to share some photographs that reminded
me of the book. These are all portraits of real people, in their real worlds, but you might see why they reminded me of Sae, Gale, and Prim.

And visit the Smart Pop blog for links to the other Districts--and eleven more chances to enter. The odds are totally in your favor.

This might be Sae.
Woman on a Porch, Doris Ulman,  1930.
Via the American Art Museum Collection.

Gale and this soldier may know the same truth.
Photo of a Vietnam-era soldier via
everyday iShow.

Prim might have had a moment like this while Katniss was at The Games.
Photo by Jack Delano, from the Farm Security Administration photo collection.