Mockingjay

The final book of The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins brings us Mockingjay to wrap up the Hunger Games. I couldn't help myself... soon after finishing Catching Fire, I just HAD to know why Katniss had been snatched from the games and who had taken her out of the arena. I greatly enjoyed Mockingjay, but just as I said regarding Catching Fire, the first Hunger Games definitely was Suzanne Collins' best. However, Mockingjay is well worth reading as it is fast paced and exciting and ultimately lets you know where and how Katniss and Peeta end up. Katniss has survived her second time in the arena and eventually wakes up to find she was taken out of the games by the rebels. Gale and her family have escaped District 12. District 13 does exist. A revolution, which had meticulously planned saving Katniss from the games is in full swing. The rebels want Katniss to be the voice of the revolution. Katniss is not sure she trusts the rebels, but as it turns out, she has little choice in whether or not she becomes the rebellion's Mockingjay.

Reading Level: GLE: 5.3
                        Lexile: 800L

Teachers: Here are some resources to help you teach this book...

Web Resources:

•  Hunger Games: Click here to see symbols, questions, themes and more for each of the three books.
• Across the Curriculum: Check out this site for some discussion questions that will help you connect this novel to Civics and Social Studies.
• Mockingjay Game: Here is a link to the "act of goodness" game that aligns with Mockingjay.

Vocabulary: Here are some words I picked out: enigmatic, indelible, conciliatory, immunity, ultimatum, dissent, spontaneity, incongruous, repudiate, decimate, coup, hijacked, innocuous, furtive, vendetta, censor, absconded, evocative, expedite

Activities:
Before Reading: Where do you think Katniss has been taken at the end of Catching Fire? Predict where she is and who has taken her.

During Reading: Compare and contrast District 12 and District 13. Which would you prefer to live in and why?

After Reading: Write your own epilogue where Katniss and Peeta's lives end up differently after the war.

Across the Curriculum: Check out the 2nd link under web resources for ideas to connect this book and the revolution to Civics/Social Studies.

Collins, S. (2010). Mockingjay. New York: Scholastic Press.

Happy Reading (& Running) =)