The hunger games : the official illustrated movie companion by Kate Egan

Scholastic Press, 2012. ISBN 978 0 545 42290 1.
With the film of the trilogy of books by Suzanne Collins, starting with The hunger games, about to appear in our cinemas, the first of the guides has appeared, and I'm sure it will not be the last. The hunger games trilogy is still hugely successful, and its popularity will be reignited once this film is released.
This companion is divided into six parts, including history, cast, the look, places and props, people, and future and each section is sumptuously filled with quite amazing pictures of the set, costumes and fascinating facts about the filming. I loved the double page spread on page 134 showing the make up area for the 400 extras used in the arena scenes.
With an article in today's press (The Advertiser, 17/3/2012) about the new style of heroine in film, comparing Katniss to Elizabeth Bennett, I will need to reread The hunger games! But this new, smart heroine is one to watch out for, and if you haven't read the book, at least the first one, grab it now. It is rivetting. It is also one of those books written for adolescent girls that has hit the adult market, and is being read by adolescent boys as well. But be prepared, the franchise is about to hit when the first movie opens at the end of the month.
This book will be popular in libraries and bookshops as it feeds the need for information about the film, and nourishes those for whom Katniss is just wonderful. This is one of two books published by Scholastic about the film.
Fran Knight