Bibliographic Info
Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: 2009
ISBN: 978-0-439-02349-8
Plot Summary
In this sequel to Hunger Games, Katniss Eberdeen is back home in District 12, co-victor of the 74th Hunger Games. Though she’s dreading the tour of districts that she’ll be required to make, with Peeta, her fellow winner, she doesn’t expect a visit from President Snow. His appearance and his message are her signal that she and her friends and family are in greater danger than ever. What she learns as she tours the districts is that she’s responsible for the well-being of far more people than she could have guessed.
She’s pressed to see how she can subdue the tide of rage that she’s released by unintentionally, or at least unconsciously, by defying the Capital. She must rely on her strength, her wits, and her friendships to save herself, her loved ones, and the many strangers for whom she’s come to represent a rebellion.
Critical Evaluation
Catching Fire stalls a bit in the beginning as the book recaps the events of Hunger Games. It’s also slower as Katniss struggles with information about uprisings in the various districts. She must flail around a little to discover what her role will be. When Katniss finds herself locked into another round of hunger games, the action picks up and propels the story to a surprising end.
Reader’s Annotation
In this sequel to Hunger Games, the stakes are higher than ever for Katniss Eberdeen. She must continue to fight for her life, for her loved ones, and for the many who she’s enflamed to rage over the injustices of Panem.
Author Info
Suzanne Collins was born in New Jersey on November 21st, 1947. She was the child of a military officer. She earned her MFA in Dramatic Writing from New York University.
Collins began her writing career as a children’s television writer. She wrote for Little Bear, Oswald, and Clarissa Explains It All among other shows. She wrote a five-book series called the Underland Chronicles that were inspired by Alice in Wonderland, but instead of falling down a rabbit hole, the concept questioned what would happen if one fell down a manhole. The Hunger Games is a planned trilogy, with the final book, Mocking Jay set to come out in August 2010. The books were inspired by a Greek myth.
Collins currently lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children.
Collins, S. (n.d.). Suzanne Collins. Retrieved April 14, 2010, from http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/index.htm
Genre
Science Fiction
Curriculum Ties
Social Studies, especially conditions that lead to revolt
Greek Mythology
Book Talking Ideas
Catching Fire! Katniss’ symbol in Hunger Games is the girl who was on fire. Apparently by her gesture with the berries, she sparked the anger of the citizens of Panem. Her tour of the districts in the sequel only serves to fan that spark.
Reading Level
12+
Challenge Issues
Violence
Defiance of authority
Challenge Responses
Active listening
Refer to library’s collection policy
Provide complaint form
Refer to book reviews
Selection
Sequel to assigned book.
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