I remember back in 6th grade, begging my mom to take me to school early on the day of the Scholastic Book Fair. I had to be the first kid through the library doors because they had copies of Suzanne Collins’ bestselling novel that was taking middle schoolers by storm: The Hunger Games. The day before, they had sold out completely, so I was determined. I showed up at exactly 6:59 – one minute before the doors opened – then sprinted straight to the shelf holding those brand-new paperbacks: black covers, silver titles, and that golden mockingjay symbol. For just $9, it was mine. I read it all in a single day.

Set in a dystopian future, Panem rises from the ruins of what was once North America. Thirteen districts once existed under the Capitol’s rule, but after an uprising, one was destroyed. The remaining twelve are left in varying states of poverty. To remind the districts who’s in charge, the Capitol forces them to participate in the annual Hunger Games: two teen tributes from each district, chosen at random, literally fight to the death in a brutal spectacle. When 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen’s little sister is chosen, she takes her place, stepping into a nightmare arena.

Just a few days ago, my brother managed to find my original copy – the same one from that book fair, beaten up but still with my maiden name scribbled in my childhood handwriting in pencil on the inside cover. I don’t know how many times I read it growing up, but I knew I had to revisit it now, as an adult, and see how the story hit me after all these years.

It holds up beautifully – just as full of action, tension, and raw emotion as I remembered. There’s one particular death scene (this isn’t a spoiler, it’s The Hunger Games, so you know there are plenty of vivid death scenes) that broke me as a kid. Reading it again yesterday, it struck that exact same chord.

Even back then, I knew this book would become a classic, the kind kids might be assigned someday in English class to discuss literary themes of dystopian societies, much like The Giver was for me. The trilogy shaped my tweenage reading years, and with two more companion books out now, I plan to revisit books two and three before diving into the newer installments.

What made this reread even more special was holding that exact copy from my childhood. These were the same pages I sneak-read under my desk in math class more than 15 years ago. I had no idea at 11 years old that the $9 I handed over at the book fair would buy me a cherished copy that I now get to keep on my own bookshelf as part of my collection of books, complete with my name scribbled in chicken scratch in the front.

If you’re looking to revisit a childhood favorite, or if you’ve never read this action-packed, unforgettable dystopian novel before, pick up The Hunger Games. You won’t regret it!