Catching Fire

Bibliographic Information: Collins, S. (2009). Catching fire. New York: Scholastic.

Plot Summary: After leaving the 74th Hunger Games as co-victor with Peeta Mellark, Katniss Everdeen’s battle with the Capitol has only just begun.  Before she and Peeta embark on their victory tour through the districts of Panem, Katniss receives a surprise visit from the President Snow, Panem’s president.  His visit warns Katniss; she and Peeta must convince him they are truly in love, or face consequences.  What Katniss doesn’t know is her courageous act in the arena at the end of the games has sparked a rebellion; a rebellion she didn’t mean to start.  As the Quarter Quell approaches, Katniss is relieved that she will never have to enter the Hunger Games arena ever again.  Her relief is short lived, however.  The tributes for the 75th Hunger Games will be chosen from amongst all the living victors in each district.  As the only female victor in her district, Katniss will inevitably compete in the Hunger Games again, and this time against the strongest who have ever played.  Adding to her horror is entering the games with either Peeta or Haymitch, two people who have become like family.  Is the Quarter Quell the Capitol’s attempt to rid themselves of Katniss, the Girl on Fire, and extinguish the rebellion she has ignited? 

Critical Evaluation: Catching Fire is the thrilling sequel to Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel The Hunger Games.  The conflicts in the story keep readers at the edge of their seat from the first sentence to the very last page.  Katniss, the hesitant hero, struggles with a love triangle, a mending relationship with her mother, recovering from the Hunger Games, adjusting to her new life in Victor’s Village, and avoiding run-ins with the Capitol.  Living next to Peeta is difficult for Katniss because of the history they shared in the arena.  She is still trying to figure out her feelings for Peeta and Gale, but both Peeta and Gale have become a bit distant since the arena.  Katniss’ relationship has been strained ever since her father died, but she is slowly starting to trust her again.  One of the most heartbreaking moments in the novel is when Katniss learns she will return to the Hunger Games arena for the Quarter Quell.  Her pain, agony, and anxiety are felt by the readers, as she prepares herself to face some of the strongest and smartest players in Hunger Game history.  Throughout the novel, Katniss starts to feel the responsibility of the rebellion rest on her shoulders, but she must figure out who to trust.  With an action packed ending readers will be waiting anxiously to read the third, and final, novel in the trilogy, Mocking Jay.

Reader’s Annotation: Winning the Hunger Games once was lucky enough for Katniss, but can she do it again?  May the odds be ever in her favor.

Information about the author:Suzanne Collins began her writing career writing for children’s television shows like Clarissa Explains It All, The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo, Little Bear, and Oswald. It was during her work on Generation O! when she received encouragement from James Proimos, a children’s author, to try her hand at writing children’s stories.  Her first series was The Underland Chronicles, which was followed by the international bestseller trilogy The Hunger Games (Collins, n.d.).

Collin’s inspiration for the novel came through the classical Greek myth Theseus and the Minotaur, Roman gladiator battles, and our current obsession with reality television (Scholastic, n.d.).

Genre: Dystopian, Science Fictions, Action, Adventure

Curriculum Ties: English (literature)

Booktalking ideas (one or two):

1. President Snow’s perspective

2. Gale’s perspective (love triangle)

Reading level/Interest age: 13+

Challenge Issues: The novel contains violence, killing, and death.

To defend challenged material I would:

1.    Read/watch/listen to the material to become familiar with the content.

2.    Familiarize myself with the Arizona Common Core curriculum standards http://www.azed.gov/azcommoncore/teacher/ to defend how the material can support the learning of these standards.

3.    Refer to the Library Bill of Rights: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

4.    Refer to the collection policy of my library.

5.    Collect reviews from staff/students/patrons who have used the material

Why I included this book: Catching Fire is the second book in the successful Hunger Games series.  The book has garnered numerous positive reviews, and has a strong female protagonist.  The book is a sort of a social commentary on our obsession with violence and reality TV.  

References:

Collins, S. (n.d.) Webpage. Retrieved 15 March 2013 from

 www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/bio.htm

Scholastic. (n.d.) The hunger games. Video. Retrieved 1 May 2013 from

http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/videos/mockingjay.htm