Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

[Heather Olson]

In Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins, the plot picks up right where The Hunger Games left off. Katniss Everdeen's victory in The Hunger Games with fellow District 12 player Peeta Mellark has thwarted the Gamemakers and defied the Capitol and their rules of the game. Given that they've just won safety and financial security for their families, they should be pleased. However, Katniss had returned home to find herself in the center of attention. Unrest is growing in the Districts and there are rumors of a rebellion with Katniss and Peeta as the figureheads of the rebellion against the Capitol. The Capitol is angry and wants revenge against Katniss for her unintended trickery. President Snow surprises Katniss with a visit in her home and threatens her to end this rebellion talk. Broken up into three parts, Catching Fire first shows Katniss & Peeta's victory tour through the districts, the preparations for the next Hunger Games and another twisted Capitol Game that they both must play. It explores Panem's power structure, the rumors of a hidden district and the spreading rebellion that is starting. It is unique, torturous and imaginative, answers questions the reader is left with after The Hunger Games and creates more to be answered in Mockingjay. The reader is challenged to think as the characters continue to face indignities presented by the Capitol in the fight for their lives and freedom.

As in The Hunger Games and Mockingjay, Catching Fire is also written entirely from the viewpoint of Katniss. Her mother and other adult mentors are present but she is free to take credit for and make her own decisions and accomplishments. This novel, as the others in the trilogy, is very fast-paced and action-packed in both plot and reading ease. Again we see a variety of subjects in this sci-fi and political fiction novel that makes both subjects approachable to the reader. Given the different districts and the citizens of Panem, there are a number of different cultural groups though no specific ethnicity is directly mentioned. You feel Katniss' indecision, confusion and optimism as she fights the Capitol and makes many positive steps in her fight for her family's health and freedom. The novel deals with many emotions that are important to young adults as Katniss and Peeta work with others to rectify the injustices against them and the others in Panem. Young adults and other readers will face the feelings the characters face through the action, horror, despair, romance, hope and humanity of the novel.

For more information on Suzanne Collins and her books Catching Fire and the other two titles in The Hunger Games trilogy, you can visit her website at http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com. Additionally, EnglishCompanion's Ning site has some great teaching tools for this novel at http://englishcompanion.ning.com/forum/topics/the-hunger-games.

As with Mockingjay, I loved this book/series intensely. I think this series has a great place in the classroom as sci-fi literature that includes various aspects of politics, as well. The themes present within this coming-of-age series would make for great teaching material and the figurative language throughout is amazing. Again, I would say 7th grade and up as I know that is the level at which this novel is being taught in the schools. I would personally love to use this novel in 8th or 9th grade most, I believe. If I was unable to teach Catching Fire, I would certainly have it on my classroom shelves, along with Mockingjay and hope to someday teach a unit on The Hunger Games, as well. Again, I must recommend this book/series to my fellow classmates/future teachers and encourage you to check out the Ning site above for accompanying text suggestions and teaching ideas, as well.