The writing style
Do you have any other children?
1. Writing Style/Readability: The writing style is really simple, but this IS a book directed towards younger kids after all. Plus, it's a better style for an action novel as it doesn't belabor the point for 20 pages by describing every bead of sweat and sound in the forest. As for "readability" I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN.2. Plot: this is one of the things that made The Hunger Games really hit home for me. It was fast paced and action-packed and also "wonderfully predictable" in that when you really want something to happen, it does.3. Characters: All of them were pretty plain with not much going on underneath the surface, but not in a way that was annoying or unenjoyable. The heroine is full of nothing but, of course, moral fiber, her only "flaw" being that she has a fiery temper which is played to be endearing. She's also very humble of her abilities and totally oblivious to Peeta and Gale's affections for her (yet oh so observant on the battlefield) which is usually extremely annoying, but the other aspects of the novel made up for it.4. Overall Originality:  It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that nothing like this has been done before (and I don't mean in a broad sense about totalitarian government, blah blah). The author added a few futuristic elements to the story with the genetically engineered animals and all that, but not such an alarming amount that would distance the reader from the story.5. Value (was it thought provoking?): Didn't really produce any life changing epiphanies.6. Enjoyment: I loved this book and that is the reason I give it 5 stars. I value books more for how much I enjoyed them personally rather than for how well written or how thought provoking they were, although those are certainly key factors. Ultimately, though, it comes down to if I would want to read this book again or recommend it to friends, and in that aspect, this book is 100% in that category.Also...PG-13Violence in the book isn't graphic in description, but is in concept (teenagers killing each other without empathy and all that, but most video games are no better), but there's no mention of sex (as you'd think there'd be in such a brutal society). I'm glad there isn't, though because this is a book directed towards young teens and senseless sex is obnoxious in any book.The Bottom Line: You'll be missing out if you don't read this book! =] 