Catching Fire

Author: Suzanne Collines

ISBN: 978-0439023498

Publication Information: Scholastic Press

Plot Summary: Katniss, one of the two winner of the Hunger Games, returns to District 12 to find that nothing is the same. Her relationships with both Peeta and Gale have shifted, and soldiers from the Capital have been dispatched to the district to squash any potential uprisings. As Katniss tours the other 11 districts on a victory tour, she begins to sense that the unrest she felt in District 12 have spread through the rest of the Panem. Unfortunately, Katniss can't focus to much on the nation's unrest, because the 75th Hunger Games, known as the Quarter Quell, have been announced... and she is involved. A follow up to The Hunger Games, Catching Fire follows both Katniss as she deals with being a victor in the Hunger Games, and the country of Panem on the eve of a revolution.

Critical Evaluation: Suzanne Collins is perhaps one of the best fantasy writers in young adult literature. Her characters are well developed, plots are fast-paced, and her imagery is vivid. For readers that enjoyed The Hunger Games, Catching Fire is a must read to follow Katniss as the Districts prepare for a revolution.

Reader's Annotation: Katniss returns to District 12 after winning the Hunger Games. However, her reunion with her family and friends is short lived after she is told that she must go on a victory tour of all the districts, and President Snow announces the 75th Hunger Games, with a twist that will change Katniss' life forever.

Author Information: Suzanne Collins has had a successful career as a writer for childrens television shows, including several shows on the Nickelodean network. Her previous series The Underland Chronicles is an award winning series that has spent many weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Collins lives with her family in Connecticut. (Information taken from the author's website http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/bio.htm)

Curricular Ties: minor ties to American History, Geography

Genre: Fantasy, Action Adventure

Book talking ideas:

• Why are the district people of Panem upset with the people of the Capital?
• Why does Katniss feel such a strong desire to protect Peeta during the Quarter Quell?
• Why does Katniss feel the need to cooperate with President Snow? What would you do if President Snow threatened you?
  
  

Challenge issues: violence

• Familiarize yourself with the book and its contents.
• Check the library for specific policies on challenged books.
• Check the ALA website for advice on how to respond and react when a book has been challenged. (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm)
  
• Find positive reviews from reputable websites.
• Ask the challenger for their specific objections and try to address them using information from the above research.
  
  

Interest Age: Grades 7 and up

Why I selected this piece: This is the second book in the Hunger Games Series. The first book, The Hunger Games was such a great read that I immediately checked out Catching Fire from the library.