Get your Katniss costumes ready. This Thursday, Read To Succeed, United Way, Linebaugh Library and Greenhouse Ministries are hosting a Hunger Games movie premiere party at the library’s Murfreesboro’s location. Before you head off to the midnight premiere of the movie, stop by Linebaugh Library from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a can of food for Greenhouse Ministries’ food pantry. The more cans you bring, the more chances you have to win a door prize. The party will feature a Hunger Games costume contest, a trivia contest, and free food.

The celebration of The Hunger Games movie release is a part of Read To Succeed’s One Book program, which challenges residents to join together to read a chosen book. This year's selection is the bestselling adventure novel. Community reaction and involvement has been so overwhelming, Murfreesboro even made a national top 20 list of cities most obsessed with the book.

“We’ve had so much great involvement, community support and discussion of this book for several months,” says Kory Wells, One Book co-chair. “What we thought was a fantastic response was confirmed by Amazon.com’s top 20 list of cities most obsessed with the books. We’re expecting this party to be a wonderful culmination of the response and enthusiasm for these characters.”

MTSU graduate and freelance videographer Jonathan Parris will even be showcasing some of his Hunger Games-inspired props at the party, which look like they came directly off the movie set. Parris has created a short film based on the third novel in the popular young adult trilogy.

"Jonathan's work shows a lot of true ingenuity and skill,” says One Book co-chair Laura Beth Payne. “His inspiration is drawn straight from the books and will definitely impress fans. We're thrilled to present his professional talents at this celebration for the Hunger Games."

And on Saturday, March 24, Read To Succeed is teaming up with Premiere 6 Theater in Murfreesboro to collect more food for Greenhouse. At 10 am, Premiere 6 will have an exclusive showing of the movie for people who bring a can of food for Greenhouse (in addition to the lowest ticket price). At 2 p.m., bringing a can of food for Greenhouse will also secure you the lowest ticket price to The Hunger Games. 

One Book is a collaboration of Read To Succeed, Ingram Content Group, Linebaugh Library, Barnes & Noble, Greenhouse Ministries and United Way to promote reading and literacy in Rutherford County.

For more information on One Book, Read To Succeed, and The Hunger Games, visit readtosucceed.org or call 615-738-READ.