Library To Host ‘Hunger Games’ Party For Teens

The ’s Young Adult Department is throwing a party next week for teen fans of the hit movie The Hunger Games (2012) and the novel of the same title by Suzanne Collins.

The party, which will be held in the library’s downstairs meeting room on Thursday, April 12, will feature Hunger Games-themed snacks, games and even possibly a costume contest, complete with Hunger Games merchandise giveaways and prizes.

The party was the brainchild of Young Adult Services Librarian Julia Strohmeyer, who said she thought it would be a good way for Fort Lee teens to celebrate the new, very popular movie that’s based on a novel she’s been touting to the 12- to 18-year-olds she works with since long before the film came out.

Strohmeyer discussed with Patch the appeal to teens of the post-apocalyptic story, in which 12- to 18-year-olds are chosen through a lottery process to participate in a televised battle to the death.

“I think dystopias are always fascinating,” Strohmeyer said. “The Hunger Games is kind of special in that it’s futuristic and science-fictiony, but still somewhat plausible. The author of The Hunger Games has stated that she got the idea for the book by flipping through the TV, and interspersed with coverage of the Iraq war were reality TV shows, and she was starting to get them mixed up.”

Strohmeyer called the plot “disturbing,” but said that in the current era of reality TV “where people are embarrassing themselves and we’re sending 18-year-olds off to die in wars,” the plausibility factor resonates with young readers and moviegoers.

“I think a lot of teenagers are definitely sharp enough to see that,” she said. “And also, it’s just a rollicking good read. It’s got violence; it’s got romance; it’s got action. It’s hard to put down.”

Strohmeyer said she’s had teens approaching her wanting to talk about the story ever since she took the novel to long before the movie adaptation.

“About a year before the movie came out I was telling people to read The Hunger Games,” she said, adding that after her visit to the middle school, “I got back to the library, and as soon as school got out, they came asking for the book, so something about it makes them want it.”

She said the highly touted, critically acclaimed box office success that the film adaptation has become since its release in late March has only served to increase interest in the book.

“[The party] is just something that I thought might be fun for my teens who are big fans of the book” Strohmeyer said.

She also said she hopes to hold a costume contest with prizes awarded to “best District Resident/Tribute costume” and “best Capitol Resident costume,” which anyone who has read the novel or seen the movie will understand.

“May the odds be ever in your favor,” concludes Strohmeyer in a statement announcing the party.

The Hunger Games party is Thursday, April 12, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the library’s downstairs meeting room. Admission is free, and all the “Hunger Games-loving teens of Fort Lee are cordially invited,” according to Strohmeyer.

Those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP to julia.strohmeyer@bccls.org, or call 201-592-3614, ext. 4007.