Book Review: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Book Review: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Review by Tracee Orman
WOW. 
That was my first reaction as I began reading and continued throughout the book. I can honestly say that this might be my favorite book in the entire series. I know it's hard to beat The Hunger Games, but this one may have done it. I am still processing everything, but if you have not read this book yet and are a fan of the series (obviously you are if you're here, right!?), go READ IT NOW! And stop reading this review because the rest will contain SPOILERS!!
Again, if you do not want the book spoiled, stop reading now!
⚠ SPOILERS AHEAD ⚠




OK, you have been warned! Here we go...

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

One of the best things I loved about this book is that it answered so many things that were left up in the air in the other books. And we didn't even have to wait for them--chapter one brought us Katniss' parents' names! I don't know why this always bothered me in the books, but leaving the characters unnamed made them seem less personal, less important. But now I see that the naming of them in Haymitch's story makes them much more personal to him. Burdock, Asterid...and the fact that Lenore Dove is related to Katniss! We get all of this within the first few pages. My mind was reeling from the very start. 
But not just those! We get Tam Amber and Clerk Carmine from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, who raised Lenore Dove after her mother (presumably Maude Ivory!) passed away in childbirth. And Burdock (Katniss's dad) is Lenore Dove's cousin...so, YES, Katniss is related to her AND she was related to Lucy Gray Baird since Lucy Gray was a cousin to Maude Ivory. 
But the Easter eggs don't stop there. From Peeta's dad's name (Otho), to Plutarch, Wiress, Mags, Beetee, and Effie, the origin of the mockingjay pin, and so many more. Every bit of this book deepened the connections to the other books. I honestly cannot wait to reread this entire series with the new knowledge I have with Haymitch's backstory. And isn't that what a prequel is all about? Suzanne Collins created a masterpiece, weaving these relationships and giving us so much context, making Haymitch's character more and more complex.
One question I had was whether Lenore Dove's namesake was from Edgar Allan Poe's works. The answer, of course, is YES! "The Raven" is featured quite often in the book and will certainly make for excellent literary comparisons and symbolism. It's an English teacher's dream.

EMOTIONAL COMPLEXITY

Another thing I love about Sunrise on the Reaping is the emotional complexity it brings to the series. Everyone Haymitch has ever loved is gone, which we learned in Mockingjay. But now we get to meet these people. And grow to love them. Then watch them die. 
Going into the book, we knew Haymitch was a drunk with no friends, living by himself in Victor's Village. But what we didn't know is why he is this way. Katniss sees him as a disgraceful, disgusting person, but what she didn't know is that he was best friends with her dad. That he had to push Burdock away to save his life. At least until President Snow decided a mine explosion was necessary. Was this further punishment for Haymitch? Was the Blair he was also best friends with in that mine explosion? It seems highly likely. Blair could have been Gale's father for all we know.
Beetee, Ampert, Mags, and Wiress also add another level of emotional complexity to the story. Beetee's punishment of watching his son die in the arena is absolutely horrific. Mags and Wiress being punished for Haymitch's rebellion during the Games, awful. Knowing that Wiress was so young when he wrecked her...gut wrenching. It brings a deep level of empathy for these beloved characters that we met in Catching Fire and loved because they were quirky. But now...my God. There's no question that President Snow is truly evil.
One of the more emotional aspects I wasn't expecting was the geese. We learn at the end of Mockingjay that Haymitch chooses to raise geese. In that moment, it's worth a chuckle because it's the last thing anyone would expect him to do. But now knowing that Lenore Dove raised geese...oh my heart. 

REBELLION CONNECTIONS

In the original trilogy, we never suspect that Haymitch was ever part of any rebellion or rebellious acts (besides figuring out the forcefield in the arena--which was not exactly the truth, either). We were led to believe that he was just a drunk who has lived a miserable life mentoring District 12 kids for 24 years by himself. But when Katniss volunteers in the 74th Games, we now know that Haymitch knew who Katniss is. So when he tells the Capitol cameras in The Hunger Games that she has more spunk than them, it truly hits harder knowing he is a rebel himself. We just never knew how deep his connections to Plutarch, Beetee, Mags, and Wiress were until this book. (Even Effie, albeit reluctantly.)
What is remarkable about this is that we can reread the original trilogy with a completely new lens: Haymitch as a rebel who has been trying to end the Games for years as a promise to his true love. It's now clear that he was most likely in contact with Plutarch during The Hunger Games, even though it's never mentioned. I know when I reread the series, I will find so many more connections and clues.

OUR FAVORITE SYMBOLS

Some of our favorite symbols get a backstory, as well. We learn about Katniss's mockingjay pin, which we already knew belonged to Maysilee. But we find out it was designed and created by Tam Amber, a member of the Covey. It also had a sister pin–a hummingbird–that belonged to her twin, Merrilee. The fact that Maysilee flippantly disregarded the pin initially, then promises Haymitch that she'll give the pin a second chance if she survives enhances the meaning of it. It's not only a symbol of the rebellion, but a nod to both Maysilee and Tam Amber. 
The three-fingered silent salute makes an appearance at the funeral for the fallen tributes, as well as Haymitch's mom and brother. It's a poignant moment in the book, but also makes you think back to when Katniss was the recipient of it during her reaping and Haymitch saved her from crying. It hits harder knowing that gesture alone holds so many emotions for him, and yet he still tries to save Katniss from showing her tears. He is already helping her, coaching her, and she has no idea.
The lines from "The Hanging Tree" song make a reappearance in this novel, but with Lenore Dove telling Haymitch the song is about mockingjays. He begins to realize while on the train ride home from the Games that it was actually about rebels. Later, he pieces everything together that she was the one painting the rebellious graffiti in the alley "NO CAPITOL, NO HANGING TREE!" It may have taken 25 years, but Haymitch finally fulfills that promise of no more sunrises on the reaping.

A PERFECT CONCLUSION

I feel like this book perfectly concludes the series. If we never get another one, I will be satisfied. Don't get me wrong, I will love and welcome any other works Suzanne Collins writes, but I don't feel as though they are necessary. I think she has wrapped up so many loose ends at this point. Sure, I'd love a Finnick backstory and more about Tigris and President Snow. But will they measure up to this masterpiece? Probably not. The gift she has given us with this book is enough, as it will keep on giving with every reread.
If it isn't evident by now, I give this book five stars. If I could give it a million, I would. It may just inch out The Hunger Games as my favorite in the series.
I have no idea if Ms. Collins has ever read this blog or even knows of its existence. But if there is a slight chance that she is reading this, I just want her to know how much this series has meant to me. Being able to share her work with hundreds of students over the years has been a true delight. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I have to end this post now, but I know there's so much more to talk about. You can find me on Instagram and Facebook. Feel free to reach out, message me, or join in the conversations on my posts.

Sunrise on the Reaping: What You Need to Know Before You Read Suzanne Collins' New Book

Suzanne Collins, along with Scholastic Press and Lionsgate, announced that her new book, Sunrise on the Reaping, will be published March 18, 2025 and the corresponding film will be released November 20, 2026. This post serves to recap what we already know about the setting and characters to prepare for this fifth installment in The Hunger Games series. I don't know about you, but I am so excited! March cannot get here quickly enough.
SPOILER ALERT: If you have not read the excerpt released by People or any of the other books in the series, the information below WILL be spoilers for Sunrise on the Reaping.

What we already know

• With the release of an excerpt of the novel, we know it will be told in first person point-of-view (POV) by Haymitch Abernathy. This POV follows the first three novels, which were told in first person from Katniss Everdeen's perspective. This differs from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which was told in third person from the perspective of Coriolanus Snow.
• We also know that it begins on Reaping day for the 50th Hunger Games (and a Quarter Quell), which is also Haymitch's 16th birthday. We learned in Catching Fire (and are reminded in the new excerpt) that this Quarter Quell (which happens every 25 years) will reap double the number of tributes: instead of two from each of the 12 districts, there will be four children from each, totaling 48 participants.
• Haymitch has a younger brother: Sid, who is 10. He is not eligible for the reaping.
• His mom is a widow; Haymitch's dad was killed in a coal mine fire when he was younger. 
• Haymitch has a love interest: Lenore Dove. We first learn of her in Mockingjay when Haymitch says that President Snow had everyone he loved killed within two weeks of his victory: "My mother and younger brother. My girl. They were all dead two weeks after I was crowned victor." (page 172) 
• We know from Catching Fire (pages 196-202) that Maysilee Donner, Madge Undersee's aunt and the original owner of the mockingjay pin, is one of Haymitch's fellow tributes. Maysilee was also Katniss's mom's best friend. We also know that we'll see Katniss's mom at the reaping because they hug before Maysilee takes the stage.
• From these same pages we learn that Haymitch is young, strong, and quite good-looking. His hair is dark and curly and he has gray Seam eyes. In his interview with Caesar Flickerman he exudes arrogance, snarkiness, and indifference.
• We know that Haymitch goes straight to the Cornucopia for weapons and a backpack of supplies when the gong sounds. His weapon of choice becomes a knife. The arena is described on page 198 of Catching Fire as "...the most breathtaking place imaginable." It's a flower-filled meadow with woods and a snow-capped mountain in the distance. After grabbing his supplies, Haymitch heads for the woods.
• The beauty of the arena is an illusion, as most of the fruit and flowers are poisonous. The only things safe to consume are rainwater and items from the Cornucopia. Haymitch has to fight off carnivorous squirrels and contend with deadly butterflies.
• Maysilee grabs one small backpack with a blow-dart weapon that she easily utilizes with the poisons available in the arena.
• On the fourth day of the Games, a volcano erupts, taking out at least a dozen tributes and all but five of the Careers.
• Haymitch and Maysilee use the woods for concealment. On page 199 of Catching Fire, we learn that Haymitch encounters three of the Careers. He kills two of them with his knife but the third is able to disarm him. Maysilee comes to his rescue by killing the third Career with her blow dart. The two become allies.
• Haymitch is determined to find the end of the arena. When they find a cliff, Haymitch decides to stay there and allow the remaining tributes to come to them. (p. 200) Maysilee disagrees with this and the two part ways. There are only five tributes left, including them.
• Haymitch accidentally comes across the invisible force field when he kicks a pebble off the side of the cliff and it flies back up at him a minute later. He realizes the force field acts like a boomerang. (p. 201)
• Maysilee is killed by a flock of "candy pink birds" that "skewer her through the neck" (p. 201). Much like Katniss with Rue, Haymitch holds her hand as she dies.
• In the end, it's Haymitch and a District 1 female tribute left. They get into a bloody fight and she ends up disarming him. His injuries are life-threatening (he has to hold his intestines in) as he makes his way for the cliff. He reaches the edge and waits for the girl to throw her ax at him. When she does, he ducks and allows it to fly off the cliff. Both tributes are dying, but Haymitch knows in a minute that ax will fly back and kill her. (pages 201-202)
• As punishment for manipulating the Games and making the Capitol look bad, President Snow has everyone Haymitch loves killed (his mom, brother, and girlfriend) within two weeks of being declared the Victor, as mentioned above in Mockingjay.

What this could mean for Sunrise on the Reaping

Movies don't always follow everything in the books, as we know all too well from the Hunger Games movies. For example, Haymitch was always described as having dark, curly hair. He was from the Seam, after all. But Woody Harrelson, a blonde actor, has always portrayed him without dying his hair (unlike Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, who both colored their hair to match their character's). Will they try to find an actor that genuinely portrays Haymitch from the books or someone who looks like a young Woody Harrelson? Personally, I want someone true to the book. 
The similarities between Haymitch and Katniss are noticeable. Both are raised by single moms. Both lost their fathers in coal mine fires/explosions. Both have a younger sibling to care for. Both use the woods for hunting and feeding their family. Both ally with their fellow district tributes. Both have to watch a friend die in the arena. Both defy the Capitol in the Games, manipulating the outcome to become Victors. I think this book will be a great opportunity for teachers to have students compare and contrast the two protagonists. 
According to the book jacket synopsis, Haymitch's fellow District 12 tributes include "...a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town." Obviously, Maysilee is the "stuck-up" girl. But knowing that there will be a young girl who is like a sister to him will be excruciating to see her death. Will they ally right away? Will it be another Rue situation all over again? 
I love that we will see a glimpse of Katniss's mother. Because the book is told from Haymitch's perspective, we won't see much as she is not from the Seam, but perhaps we will see Katniss's father? Maybe Haymitch was even friends with him? Will we finally learn their names?
Lenore Dove: Haymitch identifies her in the book with both names, indicating perhaps she has a double first name like Lucy Gray Baird. In addition, her second name Dove not only represents the peaceful songbird but a shade of gray. Members of the Covey all had second first names that were colors. Could Lenore Dove be a descendant of one of the members of the Covey? 
Also, the name Lenore has many references in literature. If you've taught Edgar Allan Poe, you know he not only wrote a poem named "Lenore," but her death was the source of the narrator's grief in his famous poem "The Raven." There is also a poem called "Lenore" by German author Gottfried August Bürger written in 1773. Teachers can use these poems for analysis and comparison of themes.
There is no doubt that this will be just as emotionally charged as The Hunger Games (and all the books, honestly). Will it be worse because we know it's coming? 
If you'd like to chat more about things, you can find me on Instagram and Facebook. Just comment on my post about this! I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks for reading!-Tracee

Hunger Games Interactive Bulletin Board and Activity

 
I'm so excited to share my latest Hunger Games resource: a fun interactive bulletin board you can use before, during, or after reading!
Based on my popular poetry bulletin board series of products, this set includes:• 42 quote cards that can be displayed as a bulletin board (or on a wall, door, or any flat surface) or passed around• 127-slide presentation that shows each quote and the answer• 42-question student handout (with answer key) that can be used alone or with the presentation
Grab it here: Hunger Games or Song? Bulletin Board, Presentation, & Handouts

USING IT IN CLASSTo utilize the product to the fullest, I would plan a class period for showing the presentation to your class. Print off the student handout in advance and have students fill it out FIRST, guessing each answer. Give them about 10 minutes or so for this activity.

After students have filled out their guesses on the handout, begin the presentation. Have them check their answers as they go. (THIS IS FOR FUN, so if you have to give a grade, give participation points. This activity should not be graded!)
You can give a piece of candy or another incentive for the best score, but please don't take their scores for a grade. 
The next day and for the rest of the unit, have the bulletin board on display. When you reach certain quotes in the book you can discuss them and talk about why they may seem like song lyrics.
I did NOT use any quotes from the song in the book so it would not be confusing. But it offers a great opportunity for noting how some passages may seem more lyrical than others. And also why some song lyrics seem to fit perfectly with the book. For example, one of the quotes says "I want you to hold out the palm of your hand." When students get to chapter 25 they will realize why this lyric goes perfectly with the book.
I hope you and your students have fun with this activity! If you have additional books you'd love to suggest for a similar one, contact me via Instagram. 
If you have already purchased my Mega Bundle, you get this activity FREE!
You can see the bulletin board in action below.

Book Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Book Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Original book jacket cover art by Elizabeth B. Parisi, © Scholastic Inc.

*WARNING: This post WILL contain spoilers.*

When Suzanne Collins ended Mockingjay with the line, "But there are much worse games to play," she was right. And here they are.

I've spent the past week reading and re-reading parts of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the newest release from author Suzanne Collins and the highly-anticipated prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy. Needless to say, there's a lot to digest in the 517-page book. The novel is written in third-person from 18-year old Coriolanus Snow's perspective. This differs from The Hunger Games trilogy, which is written in first-person from Katniss Everdeen's perspective. I did not have a problem with the way it was written since we still "see" things through Snow's point-of-view. I actually loved that the reader was able to see a young Snow and learn more about this man's rise to power. Of course, this is just a glimpse because the entire novel is only comprised of about three months of his life. Three very formative months, of course.

It begins on July 4th, Reaping Day for the 10th Hunger Games in the Capitol. From the beginning, I love how Collins gives us information we craved but didn't get in the original trilogy, like the date of the Reaping. We learn that Snow is being raised by his grandmother (his dad died in the war and his mom died during childbirth, along with his younger sibling). But what was the biggest revelation in the second paragraph is that his cousin is none other than Tigris, the former stylist who feeds and shelters Katniss, Peeta, and Gale on their quest to kill President Snow in Mockingjay. This surprise adds dimension to both characters and what I really love about this book. It really makes you want to reread the original trilogy with a fresh lens. And this is just the beginning!

We learn that the Hunger Games is not very popular with the citizens of the Capitol and that the district tributes for the past nine years have never had mentors. In fact, viewing of the Games is not mandatory for ANY citizens and the arena is a dilapidated coliseum. The "challenge" for the 10th Hunger Games is to get more people to not only view them but to engage with them. To do so, it is decided that the brightest youth from the Academy will mentor the tributes. Just as district children are reaped for participating in the Games, the Capitol youth are assigned their district tributes right before the Reaping. Snow is assigned the District 12 female tribute, which he takes as a slap in the face. But when it turns out his tribute is 17-year-old Lucy Gray Baird, a spunky singer with a touch of vulnerability that makes her an instant fan favorite, Snow has some hope that maybe he didn't get the absolute worse tribute.

Collins is able to let us feel smidgens of empathy for the young Snow; more importantly, though, we get to see why he does what he does. His family is no longer rich and he's desperate for a scholarship to the university. Being a mentor of a winning tribute will secure him a scholarship so he can continue his studies and hope to someday rule Panem. So whatever he feels for Lucy Gray, it's always in relation to how she can secure him the future he feels he is owed. He is the epitome of privilege. He even refers to her as "his." Their relationship is very complicated, of course, but it forces him to make changes to the Games to help Lucy Gray survive. I truly loved seeing the Games evolve in the first two parts of the novel. We see Snow struggle with ethical dilemmas between his classmate Sejanus Plinth–who definitely serves as a moral compass–and Head Gamemaker Dr. Volumnia Gaul–evil incarnate. The two polar opposites make Snow wrestle with his own ethics. And while we all know what becomes of Snow, there's that sliver of hope that he will choose good over evil.

Collins also introduces us to Dean Casca Highbottom, the mastermind who created the Hunger Games. He's a complex character who reminds me of Haymitch: he has the potential to be a good influence on Snow, to take a stand against the barbarism of the Games, and yet, he turns to alcohol and drugs instead. It made me wonder if he had taken Snow under his wing how differently things could have turned out? Alas, the heartbreak of the book is that we know all these opportunities for Snow never come to fruition.

Another thing I love about the book is that we get to return to District 12, which presents so many references to the trilogy. For instance, Lucy Gray composes the Hanging Tree song inspired by another character we see hung for attempting to spark another rebellion. How fitting that this same song is used in the rebellion in Mockingjay. And not only did Lucy Gray write that song, but she also composed the Meadow song, which Katniss sings as Rue dies in the 74th Games. All these little Easter eggs bring new understanding to Katniss' rebellion and Snow's utter aversion to District 12.

I can't say that I completely loved the book as much as the original trilogy. I didn't connect as deeply to the characters and part of me kept wondering how many years the book would cover and if we would fast-forward to the falling out between Tigris and Snow. The fact that the book contained an epilogue makes me believe that this is it for the series. 😭 But I wish we could have one more book from Tigris' point-of-view set about 50 or so years later that covers her falling out with her self-serving egotistical cousin. I think I would be much more emotionally invested in her perspective. It would also show us more of the behind-the-scenes workings to the Games, this time from a stylists' perspective. Even if we don't get Tigris' story, I love that Collins made her character more dynamic. In Mockingjay, Katniss describes her as another shallow Capitol showboat until she was banned from the Games. The Tigris we see in Ballad is nothing like that. I want more of her story.

I also found the catch-phrase "Snow lands on top" a little overdone. I don't know why it began to grate on me as the book went on, but somehow it did. Maybe it was Snow's all-consuming arrogance that was more annoying. I did appreciate Collins including the mockingjays and his hatred for them. The line from page 516 "...she and her mockingjays could never harm him again" struck me as funny because we know Katniss–as the mockingjay–will cause all sorts of problems for him, and yet, he is absolutely right. Katniss doesn't kill him in the end. Instead, it's his arrogance that kills him as he laughs so hard at Katniss killing Coin that he chokes himself to death. And then is trampled on. Definitely not landing on top.

In all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I definitely think it will be a great classroom staple and I will be creating teaching materials, as well. I think your students will love the richness it brings to the other novels.

What did YOU think of the novel? Post below in the comments. I would love to hear your thoughts!

The Hunger Games Escape Room Activity

Escape rooms have become a great way to encourage peer collaboration and problem-solving. My Hunger Games escape room activity practices both, with some text-dependent challenges thrown in. It's best to play this AFTER students have read the book because there are spoilers to the events in the 74th Games.

In this challenge, students will be thrust into the 74th Games and will have to think their way out. Of course, there's an important rule change when you play in your classroom: they aren't chasing or killing other tributes and if they all complete the challenge, they all survive. But only one team can be Victors.

Students begin with the Opening Ceremony in which each group has to solve a puzzle. The group that solves the puzzle first will get to choose which part of the arena they want to go to first: either the Lake, the Cornucopia, the Grass Field, or the Woods.

Each area of the arena is a separate station that you can easily set up. Students will have an answer sheet that has all four areas, so they can move around to each without needing a new sheet.

At the Lake, students will relive the moment when Katniss realized the Career supplies were rigged with explosives. Students will have to navigate and map a safe route through the maze. Along the way, they'll collect letters that will need to be unscrambled, revealing a secret code word they'll need in the next task: answering a series of questions that, when completed, will detonate the Career supplies.

In the Woods area of the arena, students have to find water and dodge fireballs in two separate tasks. The first one is another word puzzle with text-dependent questions. After they answer the questions correctly, certain letters will need to be unscrambled to create a code phrase. The second task is a critical-thinking challenge where students have to create new words from an existing one.

Students will test their knowledge of figurative-language devices in the Grass Field. By doing so, they'll unlock a 12-digit code that will propel them to the next area of the arena.

The first task at the Cornucopia has students identifying items and food from the arena. In the second task, students must outsmart the wolf mutts by answering text-dependent questions--each one taking them a step closer to the top of the Cornucopia.

After students travel to each area of the arena, they'll all conclude with the Closing Ceremony. In this challenge, students will use clues they solved in the four areas of the arena to answer questions relating to the novel. The first group to finish will be crowned Victors. The rest who complete the challenges are Survivors.

For differentiation, I offer Oops! and Hint cards. I also make it possible to skip the Opening and Closing ceremonies if time is a factor. In addition, you can allow students to use the novel for additional help.

I included teacher directions, example pictures of stations, and a complete teacher answer key.

I think you and your students will love this fun & engaging activity at the conclusion of your novel unit. If you have already purchased my Growing Mega Unit, it is included! You can download it now. Or you can add it to your existing unit.

Songbirds and Snakes

The title and cover for Suzanne Collins' new Hunger Games book have been revealed: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. We also learned through Scholastic that the book will begin 64 years before The Hunger Games on the morning of the reaping of the 10th Hunger Games.

So let's take a look at the cover and title more in-depth. Obviously, songbirds and snakes both played a symbolic role in The Hunger Games trilogy, with the mockingjay being the symbol for the district rebels and snakes (or a snake) symbolizing President Snow.

The Songbird
The title and image make me think we will learn of the origin of Madge's mockingjay pin and how the songbird became a symbol for the rebellion. We know that it once belonged to her aunt Maysilee Donner and that Maysilee wore it during the 50th Hunger Games. Beyond that, we don't know how Maysilee acquired it or where it originated from. I think this book (or perhaps it will be a series) will give us those answers.

The Snake
Throughout the trilogy, President Snow has represented a snake. In Catching Fire Katniss calls his eyes "snakelike" (p. 17), compares seeing him to a "fanged viper" (p. 18), and even admits she treats him as though he is a venomous snake (p. 19). In Mockingjay, Finnick reveals how President Snow rose so quickly to power: poison. Katniss thinks, "Poison. The perfect weapon for a snake" (p. 171).

Will we see a young version of President Snow in this book? It's hard to say how old he is in the trilogy because the Capitol citizens have access to amazing gadgets and medicine to keep them looking younger and he already looks quite old. We do know he is a grandfather. I'm going to guess if we do see President Snow in this book, it will most likely be his child or young adult version. If Collins makes this a series, though, there is a chance we will get to see his rise to power and Finnick's scandalous stories will come alive on the page. Finnick does say that Snow was "Such a young man when he rose to power" (p. 171). This makes me think that we will somehow see the beginnings of Snow's snake-like rise to evil. At the very least, we will see his predecessor.

Other Characters? 
With the book rewinding 64 years, it's safe to say most of the characters from the original trilogy will be absent from the novel. However, there could be some. Mags from District 4 was elderly, so there's a chance she could be in it. As I stated before, President Snow--or Coriolanus--could be featured as a child or a very young man. Katniss has said Ceasar Flickerman has been around forever, but could he be old enough to be in the 10th Games? Probably not.

Narrator?
I do wonder who will narrate the book (or whether it will even feature a first-person narration). Will it be a district citizen? A Capitol citizen? Or will it feature multiple perspectives?

No matter what the novel reveals, I'm just elated Collins is expanding the Hunger Games world. I can't wait to meet the new characters and learn more about this time period in Panem.


Image courtesy of Scholastic, Inc.
Pre-order your copy of the book through scholastic.com/hungergames

Suzanne Collins' New Book Goes Back to the Dark Days

With Scholastic's recent announcement that author Suzanne Collins will release a prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy May 19, 2020, it's a perfect time to review what we know about the time leading up to the series and speculate on the contents of the prequel.

Collins released a statement regarding the setting and premise of the novel:

“With this book, I wanted to explore the state of nature, who we are, and what we perceive is required for our survival. The reconstruction period 10 years after the war, commonly referred to as the Dark Days — as the country of Panem struggles back to its feet — provides fertile ground for characters to grapple with these questions and thereby define their views of humanity.”

Based on this information and what we know from reading the series, we can deduce the following:

1. The prequel will be set 10 years after "the brutal war for what little sustenance remained" (The Hunger Games, Collins 18). Panem and its 13 newly-formed districts were formed after the war and "brought peace and prosperity to its citizens" (18).

2. Obviously, the "peace and prosperity" was short-lived or was a farce because the Dark Days--the time after the war and formation of Panem--is when all the districts organize the first uprising.

3. All of the districts are defeated by the Capitol and District 13 is destroyed (above ground, anyway) during this time period. We also know that two rebels for every Capitol citizen were killed during this uprising (Catching Fire, Collins 172).

4. The Capitol created some of their killing "pods" in the city during the Dark Days (Mockingjay, Collins 251). They also bred genetically-altered animals (muttations or mutts) such as the jabber jay--used to record private conversations--during this time (The Hunger Games, Collins 42).

5. District 13 started the rebellion that caused the Dark Days, "then abandoned the rest of the districts when the tide turned against it" (Mockingjay, Collins 357).

6. The Capitol wrote and enacted the "Treaty of Treason" with new laws to guarantee peace. As part of the new laws, the Hunger Games is formed as a "yearly reminder that the Dark Days must never be repeated" (The Hunger Games, Collins 18). In addition, all of the Quarter Quell rules were created as part of these new laws (Catching Fire, Collins 172).

QUESTIONS THAT MIGHT BE ANSWERED IN THE PREQUEL...

(These questions are pure speculation; I have no idea if these questions will be answered. I am merely guessing based on Collins' statement.)

• What happens in those ten years that cause the districts to uprise? What was the tipping point to cause District 13 to initiate the rebellion? What pushed the citizens over the edge?

• Was Panem a democracy before the rebellion? Were districts independent?

• Could citizens travel freely from district to district? Could people communicate with citizens in other districts? Were the districts fenced in or were the borders created during the Dark Days?

• How long did the rebellion/Dark Days last?

• Why did District 13 turn their backs on the rest of the districts when the Capitol started to gain control of the rebellion?

• Why did Collins decide to return to Panem after stating she was ready to move on? Was the current political and global climate an inspiration?

What questions do you have that you hope to have answered? Are you excited for the new novel? Do you have a countdown until May 19th? Share below in the comments.

   

Why Children of Blood and Bone is the next Hunger Games

Ever since Suzanne Collins released Mockingjay, her final book in The Hunger Games series, I've been yearning for another powerful young adult book or series that I could introduce to my students.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Jacket art by Rich Deas ©Macmillian Publishing
Copyright © 2018 Tomi Adeyemi

There have been several challengers: the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth, The Chaos Walking trilogy (beginning with The Knife of Never Letting Go) by Patrick Ness, the Legend trilogy by Marie Lu, and Daughter of Smoke and Bone series by Laini Taylor (which is amazing, intricate, and geared more toward high school students). But none of them quite topped what The Hunger Games could achieve as far as overall student appeal and engagement. Which is why I was excited to get my copy of Tomi Adeyemi's new book Children of Blood and Bone last week. It had been touted as one of the most anticipated new young adult books by Publisher's Weekly. I was not disappointed.

Like The Hunger Games trilogy, Children of Blood and Bone features a strong-willed female teenage protagonist with the weight of the world on her shoulders. And like Katniss, Zélie and her family have been the victims of a tyrannical ruler who is hell-bent on keeping them down. Zélie, as well as Amari and Inan (the other narrators), experience some of the same insecurities, fears, and conflicting feelings Katniss went through--and definitely feelings teens can relate to. It is the first book in the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy.

Unlike The Hunger Games, Children of Blood and Bone is set in the fantasy world of Orïsha, which is based on the West-African country of Nigeria. In fact, the names of the villages in the novel are the same as real places in Nigeria. West-African mythology is beautifully woven into the story that it immerses the reader with its magnificence.  Also, Children of Blood and Bone is narrated by three separate characters, all in first-person. Readers are able to see events from two very different perspectives from Zélie's. Having the contrasting viewpoints helps the events in the plot flow, while at the same time giving readers new insights and a deeper understanding of the characters and their motivation.

But what makes Children of Blood and Bone so special is that its characters--including all the main protagonists--are people of color, something that has been missing from many popular young adult series. Too often in fiction the characters of color must rely on the white character to fight the injustices or come to their rescue (i.e. To Kill a Mockingbird, The Help, Their Eyes Were Watching God). Now, more than ever, students need to see diverse heroes in literature; ones that are able to overcome obstacles without the help from a white character. Our students of color need to be represented; they need to be able to see themselves in the story. And our white students need more opportunities to empathize with characters who don't look like themselves. Children of Blood and Bone succeeds at both.

Adeyemi writes in her "Author's Note" at the end of the novel that she was deeply inspired by the terrifying events of police shootings and brutality in America over the past several years. Though the novel is set in a fantasy world, the ruthlessness and violence by those in power emphasize the themes of racism and fear. Caitlyn Paxon, NPR.org, writes in her review that "...Adeyemi has created a powerful metaphor for the cruelty of racism and the way that it weakens and divides a country."

While reading it, I couldn't help comparing the narrators to Katniss (or other teen protagonists). While there were many similarities, there is something about each of the narrators that is raw, utterly emotional, and unique from any other teen series. I truly believe that experiencing the suffering through these characters gives so much more weight and heaviness than through their white fictional counterparts. Perhaps it's because deep down we know this isn't just a fantasy--the pain these characters feel mirrors the pain suffered by many every single day in real life. Which is why I believe this novel--and hopefully the entire series--is the next Hunger Games.


TEACHING RESOURCES
• Teachers will find multiple ways to relate the novel to current and past events; there are several instances where comparisons can be made with the slave trade, lynchings, the Holocaust, the nuclear arms race, police brutality, the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and gun violence/mass shootings. The novel also offers excellent talking points about stereotypes, gender roles, and class inequity.

• For more information about the Tomi Adeyemi, you can go to her website:  http://www.tomiadeyemi.com/

• Join Adeyemi's fan club (#CBB Squad) for her email updates that include cool things (like a printable map of Orïsha) here: http://www.tomiadeyemi.com/books/ (scroll down to the yellow button that says "Join the #CBB Squad")

• The book has its own website where students (and anyone) can find out which Maji Clan they belong to: http://childrenofbloodandbone.com/ 
(I'm a Connector, which I think is pretty accurate. :) Comment below with your Clan.) Hopefully more will be added to the site as the popularity increases (which I'm sure it will).

• I will be working on materials for teachers in the coming weeks, so you can follow me on TpT to get updates when I post new resources. (Most recent resources: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Tracee-Orman/Order:Most-Recent#seller_details_tabs)

• To purchase the novel (Amazon associate link):

 

• This is the first novel in the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, with the second book to be released in 2019, the third book in 2020. Fox 2000 has secured the movie rights a year ago (!) and it is currently "in development." A release date has not been set.

Book information:
Children of Blood and Bone - Legacy of Orïsha (Book 1)
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Copyright © 2018
Publisher: Henry Holt® and Company
Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC
ISBN: 978-1250170972

Banned Books Week: The Dangers of Censoring Free Speech

Banned Books Week: The Dangers of Censoring Free Speech
As we celebrate our freedom to read during Banned Books Week, it's important to remind students that many countries are not afforded this fundamental right. Countries such as North Korea, Eritrea, Russia, China, Turkmenistan, and Burma limit their citizens' right to read materials of their own choosing. Roughly two-thirds of the world's population lives under government-sanctioned internet censorship, according to a 2016 study by Freedom House.

Panem is controlled by an authoritarian government who chooses what its citizens listen to, watch, read, and learn. President Snow decides what is appropriate and acceptable for ALL citizens, whether it is real or not. This is not unlike North Korea, where cell phone use is restricted and only the "political elite" are allowed internet access. The government controls what is printed in the newspapers and other periodicals, as well as what is broadcast over the airwaves. (Source: https://cpj.org/2015/04/10-most-censored-countries.php)

So if we think a fictional world like Panem could never exist in the real world, sadly, it already does. There may not be real-life Hunger Games competitions, but there's no shortage of world leaders willing to poison their dissenters. (See this New York Times article and this report from Amnesty International.)

How does this relate to Banned Books Week?
Challenging books--which involves one person or group advocating for the removal of the book(s) from the library or school/classroom--is a threat to our First Amendment right of freedom of speech. It's the first step in limiting access to information like the government-controlled countries previously mentioned. If the door is opened to allow one person or group to dictate what is appropriate for all, it could have negative ramifications, including other persons or groups demanding the removal of all kinds of books for various reasons. And why stop at books? The floodgates would be opened for censorship of all the information we receive. When this happens, our democracy will cease to exist.

We currently have a president who does not speak out against Neo-Nazis who violently protested in Charlottesville, but speaks out against Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players who exercise their First Amendment right to peacefully protest the racial injustices in our country. Does this remind you of a scene from Catching Fire?

 When a leader encourages violence and/or backlash against a citizen for exercising his freedom of speech, our democracy has already begun to crumble. (sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/24/sports/nfl-trump-anthem-protests.html, http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-race-analysis-20170923-story.html)

Take a stand against censorship: Become a Rebel Reader 

Just as Katniss, Gale, Peeta, Finnick and all the rebels in Panem took a stand against the suppression of information by President Snow, your students can take a stand against censorship by becoming "rebel readers." A rebel reader will celebrate his/her freedom to read and freedom to choose what to read. A rebel reader doesn't allow the government, media outlets, or social media to decide what is "fake news," but will seek the truth him/herself by researching the facts. A rebel reader will step out of his/her comfort zone and read works by new and different authors about people and places and events that are foreign to him/her. A rebel reader will read with an open mind and look at both sides of an issue or viewpoint.

To encourage your students, give them opportunities to practice being a responsible rebel reader. When researching facts, require students to use several trusted and reliable sources. Surround your students with a variety of reading materials; vary the works you read with your students.


Topics of discussion   

• Discuss how the United States differs from other countries when it comes to censorship of the internet and news media outlets. Many students have experienced some form of internet censorship at schools with internet filters; for most, it is very frustrating to come to these roadblocks when searching for information. The difference, however, is that in our country, there are ways around the filters when necessary. But how would students feel if there were no other options?  

• Using the 2016 election as an example, discuss how social media filters (i.e. Facebook ads that target certain users) influenced the results of the election. If voters hadn't been bombarded with damaging articles posing as real news, would the results have been different? Ask your students why they think some people deem articles shared on social media as reliable information? Why aren't a majority of Americans turning to trusted news sites for their information?

• Ask students how they feel about peaceful, silent protests. Do they think NFL players should be fired for taking a knee during the national anthem? Why or why not? If they think it's inappropriate, ask them what alternative protest could they partake in that has the same impact/viewership?

• Compare today's peaceful protests with peaceful protests of the past. For example, revisit my post about Olympic protests. Why are some athletes punished, while others aren't? Does it boil down to race? What must happen for us to move on as a country?

Celebrate our freedom to read

Even if you are not able to fit any "banned book" discussions or activities into your curriculum this week, try to do one thing: give your students time in class to read something of their own choosing.   Let's ensure that our students realize that reading--and the freedom to choose what to read--is a fundamental right in our country that we all value.

If you are in need of materials for Banned Books Week, my previous post showcases my bulletin board display and warning labels bundle, complete with an introductory activity.

You can also visit the American Library Association's site for Banned Books Week here: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks 

Banned Books Week: Create an Interactive Classroom Display

Banned Books Week: Create an Interactive Classroom (or Library) Display

Banned Books Week is always one of my favorite weeks for teaching because I love the reactions my students have when they learn one of their favorite books was challenged or banned.

"What!? That can't be!"

"No way! That's so stupid!"

"No one can tell me what I can't read!"

Students who seem nonchalant and disinterested in reading all of a sudden become passionate book lovers and defenders. It is truly a glorious thing for an English teacher to witness.

So how do you incite this behavior? 

One of the things I like to do is raid my classroom library for all the books that have been banned or challenged. I then cover them up with warning labels with the reasons they were challenged.

When I first started doing this a few years ago, I placed the books in paper sacks (or covered them with whatever I could find) and taped the warning labels to the outside. Students could lift up the sacks to reveal the book.

This worked well, but some of my labels were messy or didn't have the "Caution" tape warning. So two years ago, I streamlined all of them into one bundle. You can find them HERE.

The labels can be used alone, on a paper sack, or just with a piece of paper to wrap around the book (use colored paper in a variety of colors to make them stand out).

If you are using paper (as shown above), use a scrap piece of paper or an index card in the back to tape the two ends of the paper/label together. This serves several purposes: it makes the paper/label long enough to fit around the book, it secures the paper/label without damaging the book, and it allows the students to easily pull the paper/label up to reveal the book.

I guarantee your students will be shocked to learn of some of the reasons their favorite books have been challenged and banned.

Don't have books? No problem!

For those who don't have a classroom library, I've got you covered. My label bundle also includes an interactive display (complete with "Caution" tape) to use on a bulletin board, wall, chalkboard, or wherever you can find room. Your students won't be able to stop themselves from lifting the flaps to reveal the titles. 

I also made both formats with a blank template so you can type any updated or new labels directly onto the page.

The bundle also includes an activity to introduce the interactive display and begin a serious
discussion about censorship and the dangers of limiting our freedom to read.

For more information about Banned Books Week, check out the official website by the American Library Association. It includes downloadable posters, a coloring page, lessons, and many other free resources for teachers and librarians.