Some of Collins’ most well-known works are her books in the Young Adult genre and children’s literature. However, it is her Hunger Games trilogy – ‘The Hunger Games’, ‘Catching Fire’, and ‘Mockingjay’ – that brought her lasting fame and popularity. She also has a prequel to ‘The Hunger Games’ called The ‘Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’. Collins is also popular for her picture books, ‘Year of The Jungle’ and ‘When Charlie McButton Lost Power’.
The Hunger Games
‘The Hunger Games‘ is the first novel in a trilogy of young adult dystopian fiction set in the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem. It follows the story of 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen as she is picked as a tribute from District 12 to participate in the 74th annual ‘Hunger Games’. The Hunger Games is a televised battle royale to the death, and Katniss is required to kill off every one of the other 23 tributes, including her co-tribute, Peeta Mellark, in order to emerge as a victor. Published in 2008, ‘The Hunger Games’ propelled Suzanne Collins to fame as she inspired the genre of Young Adult Fiction for years to come.
Catching Fire
‘Catching Fire‘ is the second novel in the ‘Hunger Games’ trilogy. It continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, now a victor and living a life of luxury back home in District 12. However, the Quarter Quell is upon the districts, and a twist is introduced in the story. Katniss and Peeta are required to go back into the arena of the Hunger Games once again to face the victors from the other districts.
Mockingjay
‘Mockingjay‘ is the final novel in the ‘Hunger Games’ trilogy. The rebellion against the autocratic Capitol has begun, and young Katniss Everdeen is the face of the rebellion. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol along with the other victors, Annie Cresta and Johanna Mason. Katniss must rescue Peeta and unite the districts against the Capitol in order to overthrow the totalitarian regime and establish democracy in the nation of Panem.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes‘ is a prequel to ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy and focuses on a young Coriolanus Snow (the main antagonist of the ‘Hunger Games’ series). Snow is made the mentor for the tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray, whom he unwittingly develops feelings for. However, he is determined to perform his duties diligently and restore fame and glory to the fallen house of Snow.
Gregor The Overlander
‘Gregor The Overlander’ is the first in the series of ‘The Underland Chronicles’. This is a children’s fantasy novel that focuses on a boy named Gregor, who falls through a manhole in New York City, only to discover the world of Underland. Published in 2003, this novel features the escalating conflict between the human city of Regalia and the King of Rats, Gorger, as Gregor unwittingly encounters sewer creatures that are gigantic in size, princesses, and prophecies that foretell his future.
Gregor and The Prophecy of Bane
‘Gregor and The Prophecy of Bane’ is the second novel in the series of ‘The Underland Chronicles’. Published in 2004, the novel continues the story of Gregor, who has sworn off the subterranean world forever. However, he is forced to revisit Underland when his sister, Boots, is snatched into the world. Gregor makes his way back to Underland, where he is reunited with his bat and Princess Luxa. He makes new allies as he goes off in search of the rat named Bane and undergoes several trials that force him to make life-and-death decisions.
Gregor and The Curse of The Warmbloods
‘Gregor and The Curse of The Warmbloods’ is the third installment of ‘The Underland Chronicles’. Again, Gregor and Boots are called into the subterranean world to help prevent the spread of a plague. Gregor’s mother permits them to go, but only on the condition that she accompanies them. However, Gregor’s mother is stricken with the plague, and Gregor must summon all his strength to end the biological warfare in order to save his family and the warmblood creatures of the subterranean world.
Gregor and The Marks of Secret
‘Gregor and The Marks of Secret’ is the fourth installment of ‘The Underland Chronicles’. Published in 2006, this novel continues the story of Gregor as he is forced to fulfill his prophecy in Underland. Queen Luxa faces a problem – the mice are being run out of their lands by the rats, but she has no idea why. Gregor and Boots go with Queen Luxa on a mission to find out the truth. However, they soon find out that the fate of the mice points to something far more sinister, and Gregor’s abilities are once again put to the test.
Gregor and The Code of Claw
‘Gregor and The Code of Claw’ is the breathtaking conclusion to ‘The Underland Chronicles’. Gregor knows that something terrible is written in the Prophecy of Time, but everyone seems to be determined to keep him from reading it. Little does he know that the prophecy calls for the death of the hero as Gregor sets out to fight the war to end all wars. Published in 2007, this novel, much like the rest of the series, was extremely well-received and helped to establish Suzanne Collins as a burgeoning children’s writer.
Year of The Jungle
‘Year of The Jungle’ is a picture book by Suzanne Collins. Published in 2013, this book revolves around the story of a young girl named Suzy, whose father has been drafted for the Vietnam war. Suzy grapples with her confusing feelings as she tries to comprehend what her father’s absence means to her and her family. She soon begins to feel distant from her father despite their regular communication through postcards and is ultimately convinced that she will no longer recognize her father’s face when she sees him.
When Charlie McButton Lost Power
‘When Charlie McButton Lost Power’ is a rhyming picture book by Suzanne Collins. Published in 2005, the book hilariously captures the story of Charlie McButton as he loses electricity during a thunderstorm and thereby loses the ability to play computer games. A crazed computer game addict, Charlie must then decide if it is worth taking out the batteries from his sister’s favorite toy or not, especially as he knows that doing so will bring on a meltdown by his sister.
FAQs
What is Suzanne Collins’ date of birth?
Suzanne Collins was born on August 10th, 1962. Collins is an American television writer for children’s shows and an author. Collins has made a name for herself with the publication of a series of 5 epic fantasy novels, ‘The Underland Chronicles’ as well as a New York Times bestselling trilogy, ‘The Hunger Games’.
How did Haymitch die?
Haymitch does not die in the ‘Hunger Games’ series. During his time in the arena, he was able to win by outwitting the others. When it was just him and the female tribute from District 1 in the 50th ‘Hunger Games’, he used the force field to his advantage and killed the other tribute to emerge as a victor.
Was Katniss really pregnant?
No, Katniss was not really pregnant. The pregnancy was merely a ploy of Peeta’s to help Katniss get more sponsors during the Quarter Quell. Later, Katniss tells the public that she lost the baby due to a miscarriage.
Do Haymitch and Effie end up together?
No, Haymitch and Effie do not end up together in the ‘Hunger Games’ trilogy. Effie does not even make an appearance in the last book of the series, ‘Mockingjay’. However, the two of them kiss at the end of the film, ‘Mockingjay Part 2’.
