Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Collins, Suzanne. Catching Fire.

Scholastic; 2009,

ISBN: 0439023491.

Reader’s Annotation

Katniss and Peeta, unprecedented co-victors of the Hunger Games, begin their victory tour, only to discover that the country is teetering on the brink of revolution, and they are the catalysts.  Will they survive the demands placed on them, as well as yet another trip to the Hunger Games arena?

Plot Summary

After skillfully forcing the organizers of the nationally televised Hunger Games to let both her and her friend Peeta survive, Katniss Everdeen now faces even greater battles.  The Hunger Games, a gladiator-style fight to the death, has been hosted by the government of Panem (a country in what used the United States) as a way to punish the outlaying districts for past rebellion and to discourage any future attempts at rebellion.  The story begins with Katniss and Peeta beginning their victory tour of the districts, only to be stunned by an unexpected return to the Hunger Games arena.  Will Katniss survive again, and will she rise to the mounting calls to become the “Mockingjay”, or the symbol of the rebellion?

Critical Evaluation

Once again, Suzanne Collins delivers on a fast-paced, compelling story that grabs readers and draws them into the action.  In this sequel to The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen’s eyes are opened wide by the brutal reality of the Capitol, and its tyrannical grip on the twelve districts.  When she and Peeta make their victory tour, several incidents with rebellious overtones happen, and it the merciless response that shocks Katniss.  She discovers that more and more people look to her as their symbol of the resistance, but Katniss just isn’t sure she can rise to be their “Mockingjay”.  But when the devious President Snow steps up the action by creating a special Hunger Games of all the former victors, Katniss finally gets it.  It is in the abbreviated Hunger Games that we really see Katniss’ strength of character come through.  She works with other victors as she can, protects Peeta at all costs, and always looks for a way to fight back against President Snow.

About the Author

As a successful writer for several children’s television shows including “Clarissa Explains It All” and “The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo”, Suzanne Collins has established a range of writing experience.  It was with her writing of the bestselling Underland Chronicles, however, that Collins really made her mark in children’s literature.  In the award-winning The Hunger Games trilogy, Collins explores the effects of war and violence on young people. Collins lives with her family in Connecticut.   For more information, go to: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Genre

Science Fiction

Horror

Curriculum Tie-ins

None

Booktalk  Ideas

1. Discuss the various relationships between Katniss, Peeta and the other victors.
2. How would you characterize Katniss’ friendship with Cinna and with her stylist team?

Reading level/Interest age

Young Adult (12+)

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

Violence

• Refer to YALSA's Teen's Top Ten
• Present library's selection policy
• Be familiar with the work, and with comparable works in the collection 

Why I included this work:

After the thrill of The Hunger Games, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Catching Fire

Great Quote from the Book:

President Snow to Katniss:  "Katniss Everdeen, the girl who was on fire, you have provided the spark that, left unattended, may grow into an inferno that destroys Panem," he says.

"Why don't you just kill me now?" I blurt out.

"Publicly?" he asks. "That would only add fuel to the flames."