New Trailer, Photos, Merchandise...I'm In Hunger Games Heaven

Katniss Everdeen NECA action figure from Amazon.com
Katniss Everdeen Action Figure

  This past week was a flurry of "The Hunger Games" movie news, photos, merchandise, and of course, the new trailer.

  I can't even keep up with all the latest news, but you can catch up with all of it on my favorite fan site, Hunger Games Down With the Capitol.

  Lionsgate and the official "The Hunger Games" Facebook page also announced the #HungerGames50 contest - with 50 different websites hosting contests to win tickets to the movie premiere.

  Another interesting development is the new website in the TheCapitol.PN network: TheCapitolTour.PN So far, I haven't really gotten anywhere with the website. I am in Group 3, #7907. I have no idea what that means. I have a MacBook, so the download link to Internet Explorer 9 did not work, since it took me to a PC/Windows page. Has anyone been able to do anything with this site yet? I do love the panoramic view of the Capitol. It really is going to be an amazing movie. Looking at the setting, I almost feel like Katniss and Peeta, arriving in a shiny new city they've only seen on TV. I did think it would be more colorful, but otherwise, it is just as futuristic as I imagined.

  Other images that sparked excitement were those of all the new merchandise released for purchase or pre-order. You can find them on Amazon.com or through Hollywood Video. Some of my favorites included the following (images are from both sites):

The Hunger Games Mockingjay Bookends.

The Orange Backpack!

Hunger Games Hard Wallet Case.

Mockingjay Hoop Earrings.

The Silver Parachute Necklace

  There are so many more I could show you, but you'll have to browse them all for yourself. The boys in my classes had their eye on the replica bow and the girls especially loved the jewelery (as did I). I also love the bookmarks and school supplies. Will you be buying any of the merchandise?

GIVING BACK TO CLASSROOMS...

  And, as I promised in my earlier post, for every dollar I spend on merchandise, I will donate to projects on DonorsChoose.org for The Hunger Games classroom book set projects, continuing Shylah Addante's Literacy Revolution. So yesterday three classrooms came a little closer to their goal. (And by using the code "ZONKER" at checkout, the "Doonesbury" comic strip people matched my donations!)
  I have a feeling I will be suckered into buying more, so if you are a teacher in need of The Hunger Games class novels, PLEASE leave a link in the comments below. I will start with the first links and work my way down.  They must be projects listed on DonorsChoose.org and they must be for teaching The Hunger Games.

So Many Great Contests for The Hunger Games

From Scholastic.com

  As March 23rd nears, the excitement surrounding The Hunger Games continues to build. And this is especially great for teachers and students.
  Because this is a popular young-adult novel published by Scholastic Books, it's safe to say that the publishers would be especially supportive of teachers. But the latest contests, websites, and marketing has been beyond my wildest dreams. It truly is a great time to share The Hunger Games with your students. Here's a list of the latest contests:

  Scholastic's Book Clubs is sponsoring two great contests right now:
  TAB/TRC Dystopian Writing Contest - Students write a dystopian short story for a chance to win a trip to "The Hunger Games" movie premiere. {Contest Rules}
  Hunger Games Skype Sweepstakes - Teachers can win a chance to Skype with one of the members of the cast of "The Hunger Games" movie, along with a classroom set of The Hunger Games trilogy books, Mockingjay pin, and web cam. {Contest Rules}

  Down With the Capitol is sponsoring a great writing contest for your students:
  Tribute Survival Guide Fan Fiction Contest - Inspired by Josh Hutcherson's call to fans to plan out how they would survive if reaped in the Games, our friends at DWTC created a 500-word writing challenge to explain your strategy and survival plan. The winner receives a copy of The Hunger Games Tribute Guide. {Contest Rules}

  Teen Vogue is sponsoring a giveaway for a trip for two to "The Hunger Games" movie premiere. {Details via DWTC and Official Rules}

Image from Hunger Games DWTC

  MovieWeb.com is giving away a free The Hunger Games book and poster to fans who like their post and leave a comment on the page.

Share these contests with your students (and make sure to enter the teacher contest through Scholastic if you teach grades 6-12) to generate your own classroom excitement for the novel.