We here at Scholastic are so excited about the release of The Hunger Games movie this week and it seems that we aren’t the only one.  Libraries and bookstores all over the country are holding Hunger Games parties.  I love the thought of people around the country coming together in their communities to celebrate a book that brought them together.

As I was looking at library celebrations from around the country, it struck me how different the parties seemed to be.  Also…they are happening everywhere!  Don’t believe me?  There are Hunger Games themed parties in:

• Staten Island, NY
• Newton, MA
• Crandon, WI
• Livingston, MT
• Saint Peter, MN
• Schaumburg, IL
• Charlotte, NC
• Lake Forest, CA

…Just to name a few!  Check your local library or bookstore to see if they are planning Hunger Games celebrations.

I also wanted to draw your attention to this article from Courtney E. Martin, “From Young Adult Book Fans to Wizards of Change.” Martin talks about two of our favorite things — The Hunger Games and Harry Potter! — and explains how the readers of books like these are, quite literally, changing the world — a direct result of being inspired by the books they’re reading. (In case you missed it, Lionsgate and the film’s cast have teamed up with World Food Programme and Feeding America to raise awareness about the global hunger crisis.)

Meanwhile, the cast of the film have been busy, and we thought we’d round up some of their recent appearances! Jennifer Lawrence took to David Letterman last night, while Liam Helmsworth was on Good Morning America. (All the stars continue making additional appearances this week!) And last night in NYC, fans greeted the stars at a bookstore event! And this just in: we love this funny piece from EW, about what The Hunger Games would look like if other directors were at the helm. Check it out!

Are you attending a Hunger Games party at your local library or bookstore? Or maybe you too have been inspired to enact social change by a book you’ve read?  Let us know in the comments!