Suzanne Collins

ABOUT THE AUTHOR READING GROUP GUIDE ABOUT THE BOOKS The Hunger Games Author Suzanne Collins In a future with unsettling parallels remembers in third grade The Hunger Games begins with 16-year- to our present, the nation of reading the story of old Katniss and her friend Gale hunting Panem consists of an all-powerful Theseus, in which King THE in the woods around their impoverished Minos of Crete demanded Capitol, surrounded by 12 oppressed District 12. When her younger sister that Athens periodically Districts that provide all its needs. Prim is chosen to be a “tribute” in the HUNGER send seven boys and seven annual “reaping,” Katniss volunteers Just as the Romans gave their girls to be thrown in the to go to the Games in her place, along population “panem et circenses” Photo credit: Todd Plitt Photo credit: Todd Labyrinth and sacrificed with Peeta, the baker’s son. Once in the GAMES to the Minotaur. “Even as a third grader,” —bread and circuses—to control Games, Katniss must marshal all her she says, “I could appreciate the ruthlessness them by keeping them entertained, skills to stay alive. In the end she outwits TRilogy of this message. Mess with us and we’ll do the Capitol by attempting a double so has the Capitol devised the something worse than kill you. We’ll kill suicide, which forces Capitol leaders to Hunger Games, a survival contest on your children.” Suzanne was also fascinated allow both her and Peeta to live. by gladiator movies. The idea for The Hunger live TV in which teenagers fight to Games came to Suzanne when she was the death. catching fire channel surfing between reality TV shows In Catching Fire, Katniss has become a and actual war coverage. symbol of defiance. It’s now the Quarter Quell, the 75th anniversary Games. Every Suzanne Collins has had a prolific career CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR 25 years the Capitol devises a new twist, writing for children’s television. She first and this year the tributes will be chosen made her mark in children’s literature with THE HUNGER GAMES from the victors of previous Games. the New York Times bestselling series The Katniss is thrown into the arena once Underland Chronicles. In The Hunger Games, “I was so obsessed with more with Peeta, but again she manages Collins continues to explore the effects of to thwart the Capitol’s plans and war and violence on those coming of age. In this book.” escapes—but Peeta is taken prisoner. a starred review, Publishers Weekly described —Stephenie Meyer, author of the the final book in the trilogy,Mockingjay , as “a Twilight Saga beautifully orchestrated and intelligent novel mockingjay that succeeds on every level.” Collins lives with her family in Connecticut. “I couldn’t stop reading… In Mockingjay, Katniss becomes the face addictive.”—Stephen King, of a full-scale rebellion in TV “propos” (propaganda movies) filmed by the The Hunger Games Entertainment Weekly HC: 978-0-439-02348-1 rebels. Determined to be the one to PB: 978-0-439-02352-8 kill President Snow, Katniss once again “Brilliantly plotted and finds herself in an arena—only this one Catching Fire 978-0-439-02349-8 perfectly paced.” represents a life or death struggle for —The New York Times the entire society. Katniss faces critical Mockingjay choices: Whom should she trust? What 978-0-439-02351-1 should her role be? Do ends justify Also available as audiobooks and as eBooks. means? What is right and wrong? What SUZANNE A more detailed discussion guide is available at truths must she follow? www.scholastic.com/thehungergames COLLINS

SCHOLASTIC™ Scholastic Inc. ABOUT THE AUTHOR READING GROUP GUIDE ABOUT THE BOOKS The Hunger Games Author Suzanne Collins In a future with unsettling parallels remembers in third grade The Hunger Games begins with 16-year- to our present, the nation of reading the story of old Katniss and her friend Gale hunting Panem consists of an all-powerful Theseus, in which King THE in the woods around their impoverished Minos of Crete demanded Capitol, surrounded by 12 oppressed District 12. When her younger sister that Athens periodically Districts that provide all its needs. Prim is chosen to be a “tribute” in the HUNGER send seven boys and seven annual “reaping,” Katniss volunteers Just as the Romans gave their girls to be thrown in the to go to the Games in her place, along population “panem et circenses” Photo credit: Todd Plitt Photo credit: Todd Labyrinth and sacrificed with Peeta, the baker’s son. Once in the GAMES to the Minotaur. “Even as a third grader,” —bread and circuses—to control Games, Katniss must marshal all her she says, “I could appreciate the ruthlessness them by keeping them entertained, skills to stay alive. In the end she outwits TRilogy of this message. Mess with us and we’ll do the Capitol by attempting a double so has the Capitol devised the something worse than kill you. We’ll kill suicide, which forces Capitol leaders to Hunger Games, a survival contest on your children.” Suzanne was also fascinated allow both her and Peeta to live. by gladiator movies. The idea for The Hunger live TV in which teenagers fight to Games came to Suzanne when she was the death. catching fire channel surfing between reality TV shows In Catching Fire, Katniss has become a and actual war coverage. symbol of defiance. It’s now the Quarter Quell, the 75th anniversary Games. Every Suzanne Collins has had a prolific career CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR 25 years the Capitol devises a new twist, writing for children’s television. She first and this year the tributes will be chosen made her mark in children’s literature with THE HUNGER GAMES from the victors of previous Games. the New York Times bestselling series The Katniss is thrown into the arena once Underland Chronicles. In The Hunger Games, “I was so obsessed with more with Peeta, but again she manages Collins continues to explore the effects of to thwart the Capitol’s plans and war and violence on those coming of age. In this book.” escapes—but Peeta is taken prisoner. a starred review, Publishers Weekly described —Stephenie Meyer, author of the the final book in the trilogy,Mockingjay , as “a Twilight Saga beautifully orchestrated and intelligent novel mockingjay that succeeds on every level.” Collins lives with her family in Connecticut. “I couldn’t stop reading… In Mockingjay, Katniss becomes the face addictive.”—Stephen King, of a full-scale rebellion in TV “propos” (propaganda movies) filmed by the The Hunger Games Entertainment Weekly HC: 978-0-439-02348-1 rebels. Determined to be the one to PB: 978-0-439-02352-8 kill President Snow, Katniss once again “Brilliantly plotted and finds herself in an arena—only this one Catching Fire 978-0-439-02349-8 perfectly paced.” represents a life or death struggle for —The New York Times the entire society. Katniss faces critical Mockingjay choices: Whom should she trust? What 978-0-439-02351-1 should her role be? Do ends justify Also available as audiobooks and as eBooks. means? What is right and wrong? What SUZANNE A more detailed discussion guide is available at truths must she follow? www.scholastic.com/thehungergames COLLINS

SCHOLASTIC™ Scholastic Inc. DISCUSSION POINTS COMPARISONS the hunger games catching fire mockingjay You can have interesting discussions comparing the themes in The Hunger 1. Why are the “tributes” given stylists and 1. How does Katniss’s participation in the 1. What influences Katniss’s decision to Games to those in the following books. dressed so elaborately for the opening Games change her relationship with Gale? become the Mockingjay? ceremony? Does this remind you of Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers 2. How does the Victory Tour affect Katniss 2. What is needed for Katniss to create a ceremonies in our world? (Scholastic Press/Scholastic, 1988). and Peeta, their relationship to each other, truly effective “propo”? About teenage soldiers in Vietnam. 2. When Peeta declares his love for and their feelings about their future? 3. Discuss the role of television “propaganda” Katniss, does he really mean it, or Sunrise Over Fallujah, by Walter Dean 3. Why does the Capitol devise a special in today’s society and the techniques that did Haymitch create the “star-crossed Myers (Scholastic Press/Scholastic, 2008). reaping for every 25th Game? Do you are used to influence our thinking. lovers” story for the show? Young soldiers in Iraq face many dilemmas. believe the requirements for this Quarter 4. Discuss the changing relationship between 3. Peeta tells Katniss, “…I want to die as Quell were decided in the past or were Feed, by M. T. Anderson (Candlewick, Katniss and Gale. What does Gale say is myself…I don’t want them to change they designed for this Game to force 2004). A “feed” is embedded in the brain the “only way I get your attention”? Does me in there. Turn me into some kind of Katniss and Peeta back to the arena? of every citizen. monster that I’m not.” What does this he truly love her? tell you about Peeta? Is he able to stay 4. How did the mockingjay species GemX, by Nicky Singer (Holiday House, 5. Discuss the “hijacking” of Peeta’s brain. true to himself during the Games? develop? What is the significance of the 2008). A future society is divided into the Discuss Katniss’s comment, “It’s only now mockingjay image? “Enhanced” and the “Natural Born.” 4. What skills help Katniss stay alive? Her that he’s been corrupted that I can fully knowledge of nature? Her trapping 5. What makes Katniss say, “No wonder I appreciate the real Peeta.” Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by ability? What personality traits keep won the Games. No decent person ever J.K. Rowling (Arthur A. Levine Books/ 6. What are Coin’s motives in ordering Peeta her going? Her intelligence? Her self- does”? Is she being too hard on herself? Scholastic, 2007). Harry confronts the to join Katniss’s squad? control? If so, why? Can a decent person win the forces of good and evil. Games? 7. Do you believe it was the rebels who 5. Why do Katniss and Rue become King of the Middle March, by Kevin killed the children with the exploding partners? What does Katniss gain 6. Why is Katniss determined to keep Peeta Crossley-Holland (Arthur A. Levine Books/ parachutes? If so, how does that make you from this friendship? How does this alive, even at the expense of her own Scholastic, 2004). A young man in the feel about whether this was justified as a partnership differ from the other groups? life? Why does Finnick save Peeta’s life? Crusades faces moral choices. When does Katniss realize that her first means of winning the war? 6. In what ways do the Gamemakers impression of Finnick was wrong? Private Peaceful, by Michael Morpurgo 8. Why does Katniss vote for another control the “entertainment” value of the (Scholastic Press/Scholastic, 2003). Two Hunger Games? To save the lives of more Games? How does it affect the tributes 7. What is more harmful to the players in brothers face harsh army discipline in people? Or does she secretly anticipate to know they are being manipulated the Game: the physical traumas like the World War I. sabotaging the plan? to make the Games more exciting for fog and rain of fire, or the emotional trauma of hearing the jabberjays? The Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld (Simon sponsors and viewers? 9. Why does Katniss assassinate Coin? To Pulse, 2005). In a future society, there is a avenge Prim, or because she believes it is 7. When does Katniss first realize that 8. What does Haymitch mean when he tells compulsory operation at the age of 16 to for the greater good of the country? Peeta really does care for her? When Katniss, “You just remember who the create a uniform standard of “beauty.” Or both? does she realize her own feelings for enemy is—that’s all”? Who is the enemy? Unwind, by Neal Shusterman (Simon & him? Did Haymitch plan all along to 10. Gale tells Peeta that Katniss will pick 9. Why were Katniss and Peeta not aware Schuster, 2007). In a future world, teens keep them alive by stressing the love whichever one of them she can’t survive of the plans for the rebellion? Why were selected for “unwinding” have their body story? Are they actually in love? without. In the end, why is that one Peeta they kept in the dark when other tributes parts harvested. and not Gale? 8. Discuss other cultures in history that knew about it? have staged fights-to-the-death as Beyond the Myth: The Story of Joan of Arc, 10. What is the meaning of the title entertainment. How are they similar to by Polly Schoyer Brooks (Sandpiper, 1999). “Catching Fire”? aspects of our popular culture today that A young girl becomes the symbol of a are reflected in the story? rebellion. DISCUSSION POINTS COMPARISONS the hunger games catching fire mockingjay You can have interesting discussions comparing the themes in The Hunger 1. Why are the “tributes” given stylists and 1. How does Katniss’s participation in the 1. What influences Katniss’s decision to Games to those in the following books. dressed so elaborately for the opening Games change her relationship with Gale? become the Mockingjay? ceremony? Does this remind you of Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers 2. How does the Victory Tour affect Katniss 2. What is needed for Katniss to create a ceremonies in our world? (Scholastic Press/Scholastic, 1988). and Peeta, their relationship to each other, truly effective “propo”? About teenage soldiers in Vietnam. 2. When Peeta declares his love for and their feelings about their future? 3. Discuss the role of television “propaganda” Katniss, does he really mean it, or Sunrise Over Fallujah, by Walter Dean 3. Why does the Capitol devise a special in today’s society and the techniques that did Haymitch create the “star-crossed Myers (Scholastic Press/Scholastic, 2008). reaping for every 25th Game? Do you are used to influence our thinking. lovers” story for the show? Young soldiers in Iraq face many dilemmas. believe the requirements for this Quarter 4. Discuss the changing relationship between 3. Peeta tells Katniss, “…I want to die as Quell were decided in the past or were Feed, by M. T. Anderson (Candlewick, Katniss and Gale. What does Gale say is myself…I don’t want them to change they designed for this Game to force 2004). A “feed” is embedded in the brain the “only way I get your attention”? Does me in there. Turn me into some kind of Katniss and Peeta back to the arena? of every citizen. monster that I’m not.” What does this he truly love her? tell you about Peeta? Is he able to stay 4. How did the mockingjay species GemX, by Nicky Singer (Holiday House, 5. Discuss the “hijacking” of Peeta’s brain. true to himself during the Games? develop? What is the significance of the 2008). A future society is divided into the Discuss Katniss’s comment, “It’s only now mockingjay image? “Enhanced” and the “Natural Born.” 4. What skills help Katniss stay alive? Her that he’s been corrupted that I can fully knowledge of nature? Her trapping 5. What makes Katniss say, “No wonder I appreciate the real Peeta.” Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by ability? What personality traits keep won the Games. No decent person ever J.K. Rowling (Arthur A. Levine Books/ 6. What are Coin’s motives in ordering Peeta her going? Her intelligence? Her self- does”? Is she being too hard on herself? Scholastic, 2007). Harry confronts the to join Katniss’s squad? control? If so, why? Can a decent person win the forces of good and evil. Games? 7. Do you believe it was the rebels who 5. Why do Katniss and Rue become King of the Middle March, by Kevin killed the children with the exploding partners? What does Katniss gain 6. Why is Katniss determined to keep Peeta Crossley-Holland (Arthur A. Levine Books/ parachutes? If so, how does that make you from this friendship? How does this alive, even at the expense of her own Scholastic, 2004). A young man in the feel about whether this was justified as a partnership differ from the other groups? life? Why does Finnick save Peeta’s life? Crusades faces moral choices. When does Katniss realize that her first means of winning the war? 6. In what ways do the Gamemakers impression of Finnick was wrong? Private Peaceful, by Michael Morpurgo 8. Why does Katniss vote for another control the “entertainment” value of the (Scholastic Press/Scholastic, 2003). Two Hunger Games? To save the lives of more Games? How does it affect the tributes 7. What is more harmful to the players in brothers face harsh army discipline in people? Or does she secretly anticipate to know they are being manipulated the Game: the physical traumas like the World War I. sabotaging the plan? to make the Games more exciting for fog and rain of fire, or the emotional trauma of hearing the jabberjays? The Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld (Simon sponsors and viewers? 9. Why does Katniss assassinate Coin? To Pulse, 2005). In a future society, there is a avenge Prim, or because she believes it is 7. When does Katniss first realize that 8. What does Haymitch mean when he tells compulsory operation at the age of 16 to for the greater good of the country? Peeta really does care for her? When Katniss, “You just remember who the create a uniform standard of “beauty.” Or both? does she realize her own feelings for enemy is—that’s all”? Who is the enemy? Unwind, by Neal Shusterman (Simon & him? Did Haymitch plan all along to 10. Gale tells Peeta that Katniss will pick 9. Why were Katniss and Peeta not aware Schuster, 2007). In a future world, teens keep them alive by stressing the love whichever one of them she can’t survive of the plans for the rebellion? Why were selected for “unwinding” have their body story? Are they actually in love? without. In the end, why is that one Peeta they kept in the dark when other tributes parts harvested. and not Gale? 8. Discuss other cultures in history that knew about it? have staged fights-to-the-death as Beyond the Myth: The Story of Joan of Arc, 10. What is the meaning of the title entertainment. How are they similar to by Polly Schoyer Brooks (Sandpiper, 1999). “Catching Fire”? aspects of our popular culture today that A young girl becomes the symbol of a are reflected in the story? rebellion. DISCUSSION POINTS COMPARISONS the hunger games catching fire mockingjay You can have interesting discussions comparing the themes in The Hunger 1. Why are the “tributes” given stylists and 1. How does Katniss’s participation in the 1. What influences Katniss’s decision to Games to those in the following books. dressed so elaborately for the opening Games change her relationship with Gale? become the Mockingjay? ceremony? Does this remind you of Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers 2. How does the Victory Tour affect Katniss 2. What is needed for Katniss to create a ceremonies in our world? (Scholastic Press/Scholastic, 1988). and Peeta, their relationship to each other, truly effective “propo”? About teenage soldiers in Vietnam. 2. When Peeta declares his love for and their feelings about their future? 3. Discuss the role of television “propaganda” Katniss, does he really mean it, or Sunrise Over Fallujah, by Walter Dean 3. Why does the Capitol devise a special in today’s society and the techniques that did Haymitch create the “star-crossed Myers (Scholastic Press/Scholastic, 2008). reaping for every 25th Game? Do you are used to influence our thinking. lovers” story for the show? Young soldiers in Iraq face many dilemmas. believe the requirements for this Quarter 4. Discuss the changing relationship between 3. Peeta tells Katniss, “…I want to die as Quell were decided in the past or were Feed, by M. T. Anderson (Candlewick, Katniss and Gale. What does Gale say is myself…I don’t want them to change they designed for this Game to force 2004). A “feed” is embedded in the brain the “only way I get your attention”? Does me in there. Turn me into some kind of Katniss and Peeta back to the arena? of every citizen. monster that I’m not.” What does this he truly love her? tell you about Peeta? Is he able to stay 4. How did the mockingjay species GemX, by Nicky Singer (Holiday House, 5. Discuss the “hijacking” of Peeta’s brain. true to himself during the Games? develop? What is the significance of the 2008). A future society is divided into the Discuss Katniss’s comment, “It’s only now mockingjay image? “Enhanced” and the “Natural Born.” 4. What skills help Katniss stay alive? Her that he’s been corrupted that I can fully knowledge of nature? Her trapping 5. What makes Katniss say, “No wonder I appreciate the real Peeta.” Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by ability? What personality traits keep won the Games. No decent person ever J.K. Rowling (Arthur A. Levine Books/ 6. What are Coin’s motives in ordering Peeta her going? Her intelligence? Her self- does”? Is she being too hard on herself? Scholastic, 2007). Harry confronts the to join Katniss’s squad? control? If so, why? Can a decent person win the forces of good and evil. Games? 7. Do you believe it was the rebels who 5. Why do Katniss and Rue become King of the Middle March, by Kevin killed the children with the exploding partners? What does Katniss gain 6. Why is Katniss determined to keep Peeta Crossley-Holland (Arthur A. Levine Books/ parachutes? If so, how does that make you from this friendship? How does this alive, even at the expense of her own Scholastic, 2004). A young man in the feel about whether this was justified as a partnership differ from the other groups? life? Why does Finnick save Peeta’s life? Crusades faces moral choices. When does Katniss realize that her first means of winning the war? 6. In what ways do the Gamemakers impression of Finnick was wrong? Private Peaceful, by Michael Morpurgo 8. Why does Katniss vote for another control the “entertainment” value of the (Scholastic Press/Scholastic, 2003). Two Hunger Games? To save the lives of more Games? How does it affect the tributes 7. What is more harmful to the players in brothers face harsh army discipline in people? Or does she secretly anticipate to know they are being manipulated the Game: the physical traumas like the World War I. sabotaging the plan? to make the Games more exciting for fog and rain of fire, or the emotional trauma of hearing the jabberjays? The Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld (Simon sponsors and viewers? 9. Why does Katniss assassinate Coin? To Pulse, 2005). In a future society, there is a avenge Prim, or because she believes it is 7. When does Katniss first realize that 8. What does Haymitch mean when he tells compulsory operation at the age of 16 to for the greater good of the country? Peeta really does care for her? When Katniss, “You just remember who the create a uniform standard of “beauty.” Or both? does she realize her own feelings for enemy is—that’s all”? Who is the enemy? Unwind, by Neal Shusterman (Simon & him? Did Haymitch plan all along to 10. Gale tells Peeta that Katniss will pick 9. Why were Katniss and Peeta not aware Schuster, 2007). In a future world, teens keep them alive by stressing the love whichever one of them she can’t survive of the plans for the rebellion? Why were selected for “unwinding” have their body story? Are they actually in love? without. In the end, why is that one Peeta they kept in the dark when other tributes parts harvested. and not Gale? 8. Discuss other cultures in history that knew about it? have staged fights-to-the-death as Beyond the Myth: The Story of Joan of Arc, 10. What is the meaning of the title entertainment. How are they similar to by Polly Schoyer Brooks (Sandpiper, 1999). “Catching Fire”? aspects of our popular culture today that A young girl becomes the symbol of a are reflected in the story? rebellion. DISCUSSION POINTS COMPARISONS the hunger games catching fire mockingjay You can have interesting discussions comparing the themes in The Hunger 1. Why are the “tributes” given stylists and 1. How does Katniss’s participation in the 1. What influences Katniss’s decision to Games to those in the following books. dressed so elaborately for the opening Games change her relationship with Gale? become the Mockingjay? ceremony? Does this remind you of Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers 2. How does the Victory Tour affect Katniss 2. What is needed for Katniss to create a ceremonies in our world? (Scholastic Press/Scholastic, 1988). and Peeta, their relationship to each other, truly effective “propo”? About teenage soldiers in Vietnam. 2. When Peeta declares his love for and their feelings about their future? 3. Discuss the role of television “propaganda” Katniss, does he really mean it, or Sunrise Over Fallujah, by Walter Dean 3. Why does the Capitol devise a special in today’s society and the techniques that did Haymitch create the “star-crossed Myers (Scholastic Press/Scholastic, 2008). reaping for every 25th Game? Do you are used to influence our thinking. lovers” story for the show? Young soldiers in Iraq face many dilemmas. believe the requirements for this Quarter 4. Discuss the changing relationship between 3. Peeta tells Katniss, “…I want to die as Quell were decided in the past or were Feed, by M. T. Anderson (Candlewick, Katniss and Gale. What does Gale say is myself…I don’t want them to change they designed for this Game to force 2004). A “feed” is embedded in the brain the “only way I get your attention”? Does me in there. Turn me into some kind of Katniss and Peeta back to the arena? of every citizen. monster that I’m not.” What does this he truly love her? tell you about Peeta? Is he able to stay 4. How did the mockingjay species GemX, by Nicky Singer (Holiday House, 5. Discuss the “hijacking” of Peeta’s brain. true to himself during the Games? develop? What is the significance of the 2008). A future society is divided into the Discuss Katniss’s comment, “It’s only now mockingjay image? “Enhanced” and the “Natural Born.” 4. What skills help Katniss stay alive? Her that he’s been corrupted that I can fully knowledge of nature? Her trapping 5. What makes Katniss say, “No wonder I appreciate the real Peeta.” Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by ability? What personality traits keep won the Games. No decent person ever J.K. Rowling (Arthur A. Levine Books/ 6. What are Coin’s motives in ordering Peeta her going? Her intelligence? Her self- does”? Is she being too hard on herself? Scholastic, 2007). Harry confronts the to join Katniss’s squad? control? If so, why? Can a decent person win the forces of good and evil. Games? 7. Do you believe it was the rebels who 5. Why do Katniss and Rue become King of the Middle March, by Kevin killed the children with the exploding partners? What does Katniss gain 6. Why is Katniss determined to keep Peeta Crossley-Holland (Arthur A. Levine Books/ parachutes? If so, how does that make you from this friendship? How does this alive, even at the expense of her own Scholastic, 2004). A young man in the feel about whether this was justified as a partnership differ from the other groups? life? Why does Finnick save Peeta’s life? Crusades faces moral choices. When does Katniss realize that her first means of winning the war? 6. In what ways do the Gamemakers impression of Finnick was wrong? Private Peaceful, by Michael Morpurgo 8. Why does Katniss vote for another control the “entertainment” value of the (Scholastic Press/Scholastic, 2003). Two Hunger Games? To save the lives of more Games? How does it affect the tributes 7. What is more harmful to the players in brothers face harsh army discipline in people? Or does she secretly anticipate to know they are being manipulated the Game: the physical traumas like the World War I. sabotaging the plan? to make the Games more exciting for fog and rain of fire, or the emotional trauma of hearing the jabberjays? The Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld (Simon sponsors and viewers? 9. Why does Katniss assassinate Coin? To Pulse, 2005). In a future society, there is a avenge Prim, or because she believes it is 7. When does Katniss first realize that 8. What does Haymitch mean when he tells compulsory operation at the age of 16 to for the greater good of the country? Peeta really does care for her? When Katniss, “You just remember who the create a uniform standard of “beauty.” Or both? does she realize her own feelings for enemy is—that’s all”? Who is the enemy? Unwind, by Neal Shusterman (Simon & him? Did Haymitch plan all along to 10. Gale tells Peeta that Katniss will pick 9. Why were Katniss and Peeta not aware Schuster, 2007). In a future world, teens keep them alive by stressing the love whichever one of them she can’t survive of the plans for the rebellion? Why were selected for “unwinding” have their body story? Are they actually in love? without. In the end, why is that one Peeta they kept in the dark when other tributes parts harvested. and not Gale? 8. Discuss other cultures in history that knew about it? have staged fights-to-the-death as Beyond the Myth: The Story of Joan of Arc, 10. What is the meaning of the title entertainment. How are they similar to by Polly Schoyer Brooks (Sandpiper, 1999). “Catching Fire”? aspects of our popular culture today that A young girl becomes the symbol of a are reflected in the story? rebellion. ABOUT THE AUTHOR READING GROUP GUIDE ABOUT THE BOOKS The Hunger Games Author Suzanne Collins In a future with unsettling parallels remembers in third grade The Hunger Games begins with 16-year- to our present, the nation of reading the story of old Katniss and her friend Gale hunting Panem consists of an all-powerful Theseus, in which King THE in the woods around their impoverished Minos of Crete demanded Capitol, surrounded by 12 oppressed District 12. When her younger sister that Athens periodically Districts that provide all its needs. Prim is chosen to be a “tribute” in the HUNGER send seven boys and seven annual “reaping,” Katniss volunteers Just as the Romans gave their girls to be thrown in the to go to the Games in her place, along population “panem et circenses” Photo credit: Todd Plitt Photo credit: Todd Labyrinth and sacrificed with Peeta, the baker’s son. Once in the GAMES to the Minotaur. “Even as a third grader,” —bread and circuses—to control Games, Katniss must marshal all her she says, “I could appreciate the ruthlessness them by keeping them entertained, skills to stay alive. In the end she outwits TRilogy of this message. Mess with us and we’ll do the Capitol by attempting a double so has the Capitol devised the something worse than kill you. We’ll kill suicide, which forces Capitol leaders to Hunger Games, a survival contest on your children.” Suzanne was also fascinated allow both her and Peeta to live. by gladiator movies. The idea for The Hunger live TV in which teenagers fight to Games came to Suzanne when she was the death. catching fire channel surfing between reality TV shows In Catching Fire, Katniss has become a and actual war coverage. symbol of defiance. It’s now the Quarter Quell, the 75th anniversary Games. Every Suzanne Collins has had a prolific career CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR 25 years the Capitol devises a new twist, writing for children’s television. She first and this year the tributes will be chosen made her mark in children’s literature with THE HUNGER GAMES from the victors of previous Games. the New York Times bestselling series The Katniss is thrown into the arena once Underland Chronicles. In The Hunger Games, “I was so obsessed with more with Peeta, but again she manages Collins continues to explore the effects of to thwart the Capitol’s plans and war and violence on those coming of age. In this book.” escapes—but Peeta is taken prisoner. a starred review, Publishers Weekly described —Stephenie Meyer, author of the the final book in the trilogy,Mockingjay , as “a Twilight Saga beautifully orchestrated and intelligent novel mockingjay that succeeds on every level.” Collins lives with her family in Connecticut. “I couldn’t stop reading… In Mockingjay, Katniss becomes the face addictive.”—Stephen King, of a full-scale rebellion in TV “propos” (propaganda movies) filmed by the The Hunger Games Entertainment Weekly HC: 978-0-439-02348-1 rebels. Determined to be the one to PB: 978-0-439-02352-8 kill President Snow, Katniss once again “Brilliantly plotted and finds herself in an arena—only this one Catching Fire 978-0-439-02349-8 perfectly paced.” represents a life or death struggle for —The New York Times the entire society. Katniss faces critical Mockingjay choices: Whom should she trust? What 978-0-439-02351-1 should her role be? Do ends justify Also available as audiobooks and as eBooks. means? What is right and wrong? What SUZANNE A more detailed discussion guide is available at truths must she follow? www.scholastic.com/thehungergames COLLINS

SCHOLASTIC™ Scholastic Inc.