Invitation To The Game [Mass Market Paperback]

 

 

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Whenever I read this book, I am reminded of the fact that short summaries, even the back of the book itself, simply do not do this story justice. It's one of the few books that I would recommend without hesitation to be on a school's reading curriculum, since not only does it tell an engaging story about unemployed life in a dystopian future, but it also has the thread of hope running through it that tells people that no matter what, they have useful skills, even if they don't yet know what use those skills are.

The story is told from the perspective of Lisse, who has just graduated from school and found herself with no employment prospects. This is far from unusual, as she came from one of the top schools in the country, which had a 10% job placement rate in a world essentially run by robots. Along with her friends from school, Lisse starts out her new life as an unemployed.

The world Hughes set up is an interesting one. Unemployed people are taken care of, in a basic sense, by the government, given shelter and enough credits to buy food and cleaning supplies. Anything else they want they must get by scrounging materials from garbage cans, anything throw away or to be recycled. They may not work, except at "indie" things like selling art to the employed who have money to spare. They may not travel, and they are limited to their Designated Area. Gangs essentially rule the streets, the goverment's first line of defense is the thought police, and overcrowding is a major problem.

Then when the tables turn and they find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings, they are forced to exercise every one of their individual talents to the utmost in order to survive as a society. That, in a nutshell, is what this book is about. Society, whether it be overcrowded and terrible or tiny and held together by only the bonds of friendship and necessity. What makes a society, and what makes a good or bad society? Monica Hughes is not afraid of asking the big questions, nor of posing them to young people who most of us would deem incapable of truly understanding such broad concepts. Most adults couldn't properly answer what makes a good or bad society, after all, and I enjoy coming across good YA novels that don't dumb the issues down for children, but instead present the questions in an entertaining and provocative way.

And like Michael Grant's Gone, this book doesn't flinch away from the fact that life involves death, killing, and other unpleasant things, especially when one is in exceptional circumstances.

I could read this book a hundred times over and never get bored of it. I highly recommend it to, well, just about anybody, really, be they young or old. It's the kind of book that makes you want to think, that makes you want to be productive, and makes you examine yourself and your place in the world.

I know I, for one, feel pretty confident that if I were in the same situation as Lisse, all my friends would have plenty of clothes to wear. Most people would consider skills like making a drop spindle, spinning yarn, and knitting to be quaint hobbies at best in this modern world, but when I read this novel, it's easy to remind myself that there are plenty of situations in which my "quaint hobbies" could be the difference between barely surviving the cold and being comfortable and warm.

Read this book for yourself and then take an inventory of your skills. You'll be surprised at what you don't even know you know.

I discovered this book when I was in grade five at a school book sale. I wasn't much into reading back then, but this book started me on a roll that has yet to slow down. This is truely a great work of literature. Hughes manages to transport the reader into a highly believeable world and keep you there. I am now in University, and have made it a ritual to re-read this book twice a year; once in the summer and once as a chirstmas treat. I read this book originally almost ten years ago, so that adds up.

If you are looking for a complex book full of emotion, adventure and mystery; you've found it. Hughes writing style allows young readers to read it themseleves, but could also be greatly apprechiated by a younger read-to audience. Other Hughes books I recomend are "The Crystal Drop", "Devil on My Back" and "The Golden Aquarians." These books are truely a pleasure to read. I know anyone with any sort of intelligence can apprechiate the depth and complexity of this children's books.

I found "Invitation" in a middle school library much like the Public Library Lisse describes in her tale--poor lighting, mouse-nibbled tomes, a librarian in fear of the patrons--quite different from the well-lit, muraled library I left in my home town. I was in dispair over the selection; or lack thereof.

But then, I found it! Adventure! Survival! A strange, horrible world, with rules you don't quite understand at first. I loved the idea of the unemployed scrounging to make an old warehouse a castle. I wish I could!

This is a good book. I've read it 20 times, easy. If you like this one try My Side of the Mountain or The Giver.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Kids, read the copyright date
I'm 30, and read this book when I was a child. It appears that these days either teachers don't teach the lesson of reading copyright dates, or kids don't care. Read more

Published on May 18 2009 by A. Cousins

1.0 out of 5 stars what a waste of time...
This book, to put it simply, is terrible. I had to read this book for my Sophmore year (which makes no sense, because it's aimed at a younger audience) and was forced to read this... Read more

Published on Sep 26 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Lol...I love some of the bad reviews!
This is such a good book. I don't know what some people are talking about. If they didn't get something out of this book, then they haven't lived. Really. Read more

Published on Jan 31 2002 by Erin

5.0 out of 5 stars Teacher Review
I enjoyed using this novel in the classroom with twenty-nine seventh grade students. I have used this book for the past two years. Read more

Published on Dec 30 2001

1.0 out of 5 stars MW - Phila
The book I read is called Invitation to the Game. My class thinks the book is corny and so do I. The person who made the book needs to think more about the book. Read more

Published on Dec 30 2001 by phillyteacher

3.0 out of 5 stars Uneven, unbalanced, and unconvincing.
Though readable, the book seemed unbalanced -- as if the author couldn't decide what to focus on: a fairly standard tale of a non-Utopian future, the mystery of "the Game", or a... Read more

Published on Sep 19 2001

1.0 out of 5 stars this is a good book
i am 13 years old i just got into reading books this is one of the best books i have ever read .the girl just gets out of school and moves to a DA with all her freinds they hear... Read more

Published on Sep 6 2001 by Alex Zeisberg

1.0 out of 5 stars "Hate" is a strong word, but certainly appropriate here.
Your old "Joy of Feather Dusters" collection beginning to lose its appeal? Then this book is perfect for you! Read more

Published on Aug 6 2001 by Betty

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Book ever!
I love to read; so I have read many books, and I must say, this one blew me away. It's my favorite book and I really suggest you read it. Read more

Published on May 26 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars I just keep coming back
I read this book for the first time about 8 years ago. I think I've probably read it four or five times since. It was great then and now. Read more

Published on Jan 31 2001 by Mathew Calvin

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