The critically acclaimed novel series The Hunger Games released its fifth installment, Sunrise on the Reaping, on March 18, 2025. Since the first book’s publication in 2008, the series has captivated a large audience with its captivating plots and thought-provoking themes. The Hunger Games novels have come to represent much more than an action-packed young adult series, with their dystopian themes earning them literary merit.
This new edition goes back in time and delves into the lore of Haymitch Abernathy, a beloved character whose history has only been lightly touched on in the original trilogy. Set during the 50th Hunger Games in the fictional world, it’s the Second Quarter Quell, a special kind of Hunger Games where the stakes are higher and the games are more macabre.
This book gives Abernathy more depth and expand on the games themselves.
Author Suzanne Collins has consistently used her writing to comment on societal issues, often aligning her book releases with the current political climate. Sunrise on the Reaping, in particular, explores themes of propaganda, government control, and the importance of media literacy, topics that are currently relevant in today’s world. By delving into Panem’s past, Collins draws parallels between the fictional world and modern society.
Not only has the novel been released, but it was announced shortly after that it would be adapted into a film, continuing the cycle of every Hunger Games novel havinga film adaptation. Fans can expect to see the movie in theaters on November 20, 2026.
The announcement has stirred up speculation regarding who will be cast to play young Haymitch Abernathy and live up to Woody Harrelson’s performance in the original movies.
In a recent poll posted on the @lrhsnews Instagram account, over 70% of respondents expressed interest in reading the book, watching the movie, or both. This enthusiasm reflects The Hunger Games’ popularity even after all these years.
At Leesville, The Hunger Games novels/movies are commonly used in assignments in the Trends in Young Adult Literature course and are often students’ picks for independent novels in courses such as AP Literature. In a few years, Sunrise on the Reaping will be a likely addition to students’ options in these courses.
Sunrise on the Reaping is poised to be another hit in the series; whether fans are drawn in by the political undertones or simply interested in diving back into the Hunger Games lore, this book is sure to leave a lasting impact just like its predecessors.
As the countdown to the film begins, fans have plenty of time to read the novel and engross themselves in Haymitch’s troubling backstory.
Leave a Reply