So I finally finished “Mockingjay” and therefore the Hunger Games trilogy. Can I just say … eck. The ending was not satisfying, in my opinion, and it’s been a while since I’ve been let down in that way.

HOWEVER. What Suzanne Collins does amazingly well is show how revolutions are messy. Many people die, and the people who survive focus so much on the people who died that they question whether it was really worth it. Worthy causes are worth fighting for, but those fights don’t come without serious repercussions. The main characters are used, manipulated, and tortured by BOTH sides - not just the side they’re fighting against. Katniss Everdeen, our main character and narrator, is consistently manipulated and used by the rebels fighting their oppressive regime in order to create propaganda for their cause. She is seen as both the face of the revolution, and a threat to the upcoming politicians, which means her safety is a concern until she’s no longer useful. Then she’s on her own to survive in a society where half the population would kill her on the spot if she is spotted. Meanwhile, the oppressive regime she is fighting against is psychologically torturing her by physically torturing her love interest and fellow Hunger Games victor. She is so wounded (mentally, physically, and emotionally) at the end that the reader is left with a very weak narrator, and unfortunately, a weak story as a result. The last book in the trilogy is a mess, which really reflects the protagonist’s mentality. Maybe that’s what Collins was going for. An unsettling ending to an unsettling phenomenon (revolutions). Or maybe the ending is intended to represent the imperfect reality in which we live. It might be genius and I just don’t understand why.

Oh well, onto the next book! Though I’m not sure what it’s going to be.

Few things make me happier than a student telling me they LOVED a book I recommended to them. Thanks for taking the time to send me a note, Ann! :)

Also, I finished “Catching Fire” last night, and am halfway through “Mockingjay” now (both from the “Hunger Games” trilogy). The only upside to being sick is I have an excuse to sit around and read all day. For those interested in dystopian societies and revolutions, you MUST read this series if you haven’t. While I find the first person narrative limiting because we only get the main character’s thoughts and feelings (and she’s often … a brat), it’s a fast-paced story that keeps me turning the pages and wanting to find out what is next.

OK, back to reading. And sniffling.

I know reading and writing may be the last thing on most students’ minds this summer, but it’s really what I’m looking forward to. Actually, I’ve already finished one book and it’s the best book I’ve read in a LONG time. I may have even liked it more than “Hunger Games.” Actually, I did like it more than “Hunger Games.” But I’ll get to that in a minute.

I actually wanted to post about summer writing workshops for young writers who want an opportunity to be creative this summer. The San Jose Area Writing Project has youth programs held at San Jose State (you might end up in one of my old classrooms … or I may haunt you …) to help young writers refine their skills. The San Jose Area Writing Project is run by a couple of awesome professors at SJSU who personally helped me through the credential program, and who are very connected to the schools in the community. They are continuing to educate teachers with their Saturday workshops and summer programs, and they are looking to educate the youth as well. This writing project is promoting literacy and a love for reading and writing throughout the South Bay, and I adore them for it. So if you love to write, or even just like to write, consider this workshop! :)

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