Catching Fire

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. Scholastic, New York City, 2010. ISBN:  978-0439023498

Summary

After winning the Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen should be happy.  Her and her district tribute, Peeta Mellark not only won, but also gave  their family comfort, food, and a life of safety. Most importantly, Katniss and Petta are alive.

But the rest of the districts aren’t happy with the Capitol  or President Snow.  There’s talks of rebellion and finally winning the fight  against the Capitol —and those in the rebellion have chosen Katniss, unlikely savior from District Twelve, as their inspiration.  But The Capitol has a plan of their own to stop the uprising and remind the people who’s in charge, with their  the annual Quarter Quell twist. This year's twist  is that those surviving victors from all the districts must enter the arena again--including Peeta and Katniss, who thought they were done with the Hunger Games.

As Katniss and Peeta find themselves preparing for another Hunger Games, they realize the game is much different this time around.  They must put on a good act for the Capitol and disapprove of the uprising. They must make allies with the other tributes for their best chance to survive.  But even if they make it out of the arena and win, the Capitol’s revenge and the rebellion may be their downfall.

Critical Evaluation

The second title in the successful Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire spends equal time with the growing rebellion plot and the arena action.  While the transition from the tour to the Quarter Quell may seem slow to some readers, the rebellion and life after winning the Hunger games is important for the plot development.

The characters continue to grow and develop in this title. Katniss becomes stronger both mentally and physically, and starts to fully realize the struggle the other districts are going through. Katniss also realizes that she has a new responsibility of being the face of the rebellion, and must decide what she will do with that decision. The new characters of the other victors, including Finnick and Johanna add to the thrill and the emotion of the games.

With violence and fighting similar to the first title, Catching Fire is best for older teens.  With its  mix of action, emotion, and a dystopian setting, Catching Fire is a solid read for teens.  

Reader’s Annotation 

After fighting to the death and outlasting other kids, Katniss and Peeta thought they would never have to enter the Hunger Games arena again. They were wrong.

About the Author

“Suzanne Collins has had a successful and prolific career writing for children's television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains It All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. Collins made her mark in children's literature with the New York Times bestselling five-book series for middle-grade readers The Underland Chronicles, which has received numerous accolades in both the United States and abroad. In the award-winning The Hunger Games trilogy, Collins continues to explore the effects of war and violence on those coming of age. Collins lives with her family in Connecticut.”

(Suzanne Collins. Retrieved October 15th, 2014 from http://www.amazon.com/Suzanne-Collins/e/B001H6V7I0/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0)

Genres

Dystopian

Action

Adventure

Curriculum Ties

Social Sciences

Booktalking Ideas

1: How is the tone different in Catching Fire, then it was in the Hunger Games?  

2:  The importance of having allies/friends

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 15+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

Violence/Gore

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Literary Awards

YALSA Teens’ Top Ten (2010

Golden Duck Award for Hal Clement Award for Young Adult (2010)

Children’s Choice Book Award for Teen Choice Book of the Year (2010)

Why included?

I included Catching Fire because of the book and movie adaptations  recent popularity. I also included it for its chilling dystopian world, the fast-moving plot and action, and the strong character development.