One-Sentence Summary:
In this prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy, we follow the origin story of the villainous President Snow and witness the beginnings of the brutal Hunger Games.
Book Genre:
Young Adult Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Science Fiction
Main Topic of the Book:
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a story about the corrupt and oppressive society of Panem, where young tributes are forced to fight to the death in a twisted competition called the Hunger Games.
Key Ideas:
- The cycle of violence and power that corrupts society
- The effects of trauma and loss on the human psyche
- The blurred lines between hero and villain
- The impact of privilege and opportunity on one’s choices
- The origins of the Hunger Games and the rise of President Snow
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary:
Part 1: Reaping
In the tenth annual Hunger Games, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is chosen to mentor the District 12 female tribute, Lucy Gray Baird. As the Capitol’s academy students struggle to come up with new ways to entertain the citizens, Snow becomes determined to make Lucy Gray the winner of the Games and secure his future.
Part 2: The Tributes
As the tributes are taken to the Capitol for training and preparations, Snow discovers that Lucy Gray is a talented singer and plans to use her as a performer for the Games. However, as Snow begins to develop feelings for Lucy Gray, he also becomes more aware of the poverty and injustices faced by the districts.
Part 3: The Academy
At the academy, Snow and his classmates are assigned to create a new weapon for the Games. Snow’s team invents a muttation that can mimic human voices, which they believe will make the Games more entertaining. Meanwhile, Snow’s relationship with Lucy Gray becomes more complicated as he navigates his loyalty to the Capitol and his growing conscience.
Part 4: Christmas
During the holiday season, Snow’s family faces financial ruin and he must resort to desperate measures to secure his future. Meanwhile, as the Games begin, Snow is forced to confront his own actions and desires as he watches Lucy Gray fight for survival.
Part 5: The Hunger Games
As the Games progress, Snow’s muttations prove to be a success and entertain the Capitol citizens. However, Snow begins to question the morality of this deadly competition, especially as he sees the humanity in Lucy Gray and the other tributes. In the end, Snow must make a choice that will change the course of his life and the fate of Panem.
Key Takeaways:
- The origins of the Hunger Games and the rise of President Snow
- The power of love and music to bring humanity in even the most brutal and oppressive society
- The consequences of unchecked privilege and entitlement
- The complex nature of morality and the blurred lines between good and evil
- The impact of personal choice and circumstances on shaping one’s future
Author’s Background and Qualifications:
Suzanne Collins is an American novelist and screenwriter best known for her internationally best-selling Hunger Games trilogy. Before becoming a full-time writer, Collins worked as a writer for children’s television shows. Her experience in this field has helped her to create engaging and action-packed stories, making her a highly regarded author in the young adult market.
Target Audience:
Young adult readers, fans of the Hunger Games trilogy, readers interested in dystopian and science fiction genres.
Publisher and First Publication Date:
Scholastic Press, May 19, 2020