What’s this?? I opened my email to find news of a brand new Hunger Games book AND movie? “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” will be here before we know it!

So what do we know for sure so far?

The story: The story will be based on the 50th Hunger Games (the Second Quarter Quell), or Haymitch Abernathy’s games. We know from past books that twice the number of tributes were taken from each district. We know some “spoilers” from these games because of the other books, including who wins.

Author Suzanne Collins says “With ‘Sunrise on the Reaping,’ I was inspired by David Hume’s idea of implicit submission and, in his words, ‘the easiness with which the many are governed by the few.’” She goes on to say “The story also lent itself to a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative. The question ‘Real or not real?’ seems more pressing to me every day.”

The book: This will be the 5th book in the Hunger Games franchise but will be set 24 years BEFORE the original Hunger Games book. That puts it 40 years AFTER the last book/movie, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Sound confusing? Basically it’s like a Star Wars thing. This is the 5th book/movie being released but will end up actually being the 2nd in chronological order.

It is set to be released March 18, 2025. You can pre-order on Amazon for $17-19 depending on edition (Hardcover, Kindle, Audio). 

The movie: The movie is set to release November 20, 2026. The director of 3 of the other 4 movies, Francis Lawrence, will return as director. While we don’t know casting, it is doubtful that Woody Harrelson will reprise his role of Haymitch because Haymitch is supposedly 16 years old for this time period. Keep an eye on the IMDB page for new updates!

Edited: The book is now on sale!!

Scholastic has just announced a new Hunger Games book entitled “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” The book is due to be released May 19, 2020. When news was first released about the book, it was being called “Untitled Panem Novel.” What do you think the name indicates?

I can’t believe after all this time that we are finally getting a new book!

The book is actually a prequel to the other Hunger Games books, meaning that it takes place 64 years before the other books. It will feature the 10th Hunger Games, many years before Katniss, Peeta, and Gale. This time period is 10 years after “The Dark Days,” or the war that destroyed Panem and resulted in the country as we know it in the Hunger Games trilogy.

Lionsgate had previously teased us that there might be other movies in the works, but that could have happened even without a new book release. We’re excited that Suzanne Collins will still be behind the series.

Take a look at the cover above. The press release states that the cover captures the “inner and outer” conflict that lies at the heart of the book. “The mockingjay has returned, but at a new angle…which is very much in line with the story that Suzanne Collins is telling.”

More information from Amazon:

Amazon is running a HUGE deal on books today. You can get 30% off any book with coupon code HOLIDAY30. It’s valid on print books only and can be used only one time per customer and account. The maximum discount is $10.

There are a LOT of different Hunger Games books that you can use it on besides the trilogy. Consider some of these:

• The Hunger Games Tribute Guide
• The World of the Hunger Games
• Tim Palen: Photographs from the Hunger Games
• The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion
• Hunger Games Coloring Book
• Katniss the Cattail: And Unauthorized Guide to Names and Symbols
• The Hunger Games Companion

Head to Amazon now before it expires!

Get ready for a brand new book that will get you ready for Mockingjay Part 2! In collaboration with Lionsgate, a new book is being released titled “Tim Palen: Photographs from The Hunger Games.”

The hard cover deluxe volume will include never-before-seen shots of the cast during filming. The book will be 260 pages with 200 illustrations.

If you have never heard of Tim Palen, here’s a little more about him:

A new paperback edition of Mockingjay is now available at Amazon. The new version features the blazing Mockingjay image on the cover. The book is the same as the original version, but the cover is just much cooler. The paperback sells for $11.11 and you can get free shipping with Amazon Prime.

There is also a second new paperback available called the “Foil Edition” which has a shiny cover with a picture of the Mockingjay symbol (not on fire) on it. It is selling for $10.59.

In addition, a new Kindle Edition with Audio/Video is available as of this week. You can get it for $7.66 even if you do not have a Kindle. You can download the Kindle Reading App for free and use it on just about any smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Visit Amazon to check out all of the new Mockingjay editions.

With Christmas coming, everyone is looking for gifts for the Hunger Games Fan in their life, and we have found some of the best!

Gifts on CafePress

CafePress is the first place to start if you are looking for Hunger Games gifts of any kind. They have such a huge selection of both official Catching Fire merchandise and fan-made merchandise that you could find thousands of different gift ideas in every price range. Most of them are even customizable. All of them are unique so chances are pretty good that whoever you are buying for does not already have them.

Click here to jump straight to the CafePress Hunger Games gifts or continue to check out some of our favorites.

May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor Bracelet

Hunger Games Love Tote Bag

Join the Revolution Sigg Bottle

Tick Tock Mug

You get the idea! Lots of really unique Hunger Games merchandise from bags to mugs to jewelry.

Hunger Games Shirts

Although CafePress also has a lot of really great Hunger Games t-shirts, another one of our favorite places to get them is RedBubble.

From CafePress:

Some of our other favorites Hunger Games shirts from Cafepress include:

• Hope is stronger than fear
• Keep calm and let the games begin
• District 12 tribute
• Mrs. Gale Hawthorne

Or how about these fan-made shirts from Redbubble?

Some of our favorite shirts:

• where’s finnick? Odair He Is
• Want a Sugar Cube?
• My Patronus is a Mockingjay
• Team Seneca Crane’s Beard
• Nightlock Berries: Deceptively Delicious
• Quarter Quell: 75 Years of Capitol Bliss
• Cinna Told me to wear this
• That is Mahogany!

Hunger Games Books

In addition to the regular Hunger Games trilogy of books, there are some other official and unofficial Hunger Games books that fans would love. The best place to find all of them is on Amazon.

Catching Fire: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion

Hunger Games Tribute Guide

Catching Fire Makeup from CoverGirl

The Hunger Games makeup that was released for Catching Fire is starting to sell out, so if you want it, you will have to find it quickly. It definitely would make great stocking stuffers. Prices start at about $4 so you could end up getting 2 for as little as $6 depending on what you choose.

Choose from favorites like:

• Flamed Out Shadow Pot Red-Hot
• Queen Collection 1 Kit Eye Shadow
• Lip Perfection Lipstick Burn 290
• Queen Collection Vivid Impact Eyeliner Pencil Cabernet
• Flamed Out Shadow Pencil Ashen Glow Flame 335

I’ve seen it at Kroger, Target, CVS, and Walgreens. If you are looking to buy online, check Walgreens because they have had it on sale.

Hunger Games Calendars

Calendars never go out of style when they feature characters and scenes from the movie! Plus Calendars.com has some other neat products to go with them.

Hunger Games Catching Fire 2014 Wall calendar

The Hunger Games She’s a Survivor 1000 Piece Puzzle

The Hunger Games District 12 Board Game

ThinkGeek Odds and Ends

ThinkGeek has a couple of REALLY unique Hunger Games gifts that might appeal to the person on your list who has everything.

The Unofficial Hunger Games Cookbook

The Hunger Games Replica Training Shirt

Hot Topic Licensed Items from Catching Fire

We put these toward the end because even though they are very cool, Hot Topic tends to sell out of them quickly. It’s all licensed merchandise from Catching Fire, which means that when it sells out, it is gone for good.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Mockingjay Tin Lunch Box

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Finnick’s Shell Necklace

Hunger Games Gift Cards

If you aren’t sure what to get someone, consider Hunger Games themed gift cards:

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire $25 Gift Card
Redeem this card online, over the phone or at any Hot Topic store.

Fandango Gift Cards with Catching Fire Theme
Can be used to buy tickets for any movie on their site

That’s probably just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Hunger Games related gifts this year. With the release of the second movie, merchandising went crazy. If you are looking for something else, let us know and we will try to find it!

If you don’t already have a Kindle copy of the Hunger Games trilogy, now is the day to buy it! You can download the entire set of 3 books for only $5 at Amazon (regularly $54). That’s a savings of 91%!

The set includes The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay.

We’re not sure how long this deal will last, so if you want it you may need to get it today!

If you haven’t had a chance to read the book yet and want to before you watch the movie, now is a great time to get a copy of Hunger Games on Kindle. Amazon Prime members can always “borrow” it for free but now non-Prime members can get it for just $1.99. Kindle books can be read using apps on almost any device including computers, phones, tables, and iPads.

We’re not sure how long this will last, so you should grab it quickly if you are interested!

Two new books that tie into the Hunger Games movie release are now available!

Hunger Games Illustrated Companion

“The New York Times bestseller by Suzanne Collins is now a major motion picture — and this is your guide to all of the movie’s excitement, both in front of the camera and behind it.

Go behind the scenes of the making of The Hunger Games with exclusive images and interviews. From the screenwriting process to the casting decisions to the elaborate sets and costumes to the actors’ performances and directors’ vision, this is the definitive companion to the breathtaking film.”

The Hunger Games Tribute Guide

“Here is the ultimate guide to the twenty-four Tributes participating in Panem’s 74th annual Hunger Games. Follow the Tributes’ journey from the Reaping to the Games, with a look at all the highlights along the way–the Tribute Parade, the stations of the Training Center, the interviews, and more. Get exclusive information about the Tributes’ strengths and weaknesses, their weapons of choice, and their experience in the Capitol before entering the arena.”

You can order them both from Amazon today, and they are eligible for free Super Saver shipping!

Even if you already have a copy of The Hunger Games, you likely do not have this one! The brand new Hunger Games “Movie Tie-In” Edition is now available and shipping from Amazon. It basically is The Hunger Games with a new cover that features the poster from the upcoming movie.

The soft cover book sells for $8.48 and will ship for free with Super Saver Shipping or Amazon Prime.

Don’t forget that the Hunger Games Official Movie Companion comes out on February 7 and is available for pre-order right now. This is going to be a “must-have” gift for Hunger Games fans.