Suzanne Collins has done it again! This March, Sunrise on the Reaping, the fifth installment and second prequel of the Hunger Games series, was released. To keep it short and spoiler-free, the book did not disappoint.
The book follows the story of Katniss and Peeta’s mentor Haymich, as he partakes in his own games as a teenager. It features the return of beloved (or hated) old characters such as Effie Trinket, Plutarch Heavensbee, and President Snow, as well as new characters for readers to fall in love with, such as Haymich’s girlfriend Lenore Dove, or fellow competitors Maysliee, Wyatt, and Louella. As the four embark on their games, they devise a plot to end the Hunger Games once and for all.
The book will have you hooked from the first page, and sobbing by the last. The characters, relationships, and setting captivate readers throughout the novel as Suzanne Collins once again proves herself a master of the dystopian genre. Ramapo student Keira Duffy said that “I read it in two days, and I would definitely recommend it!”
Sunrise on the Reaping’s dystopian setting provides a terrifying glimpse into the propaganda used in the Hunger Games universe. Ramapo Dystopian Literature teacher Mrs. Manzo commented, “In terms of The Hunger Games, the part that strikes me the most is the role that the media plays in the book. The games are televised for the entertainment of the people of Panem and the media portrays the games as an illusion of perfection, but in reality people are treated like animals. In our society, we should always be skeptical of media sources and make sure that the information we are receiving is accurate. Collins develops a significant message that we need to be critical of the media and sources of information.”
With a 4.68 average star rating on Goodreads, Sunrise on the Reaping has been a smashing success, and preparations for a film, set to be released in 2026, have already begun (Goodreads.com). Rumors of the cast include Charlie Plummer as Haymich, and Ralph Fiennes as President Snow (Screen Rant).
Overall, Sunrise on the Reaping is a fantastic read, and any Ramapo students looking for a good book to read should definitely look into it!
