Suzanne Collins

Words on Fire

From the Series USA TODAY Lifeline Biographies

  • Interest Level: Grade 6 - Grade 12
  • Reading Level: Grade 7

“[The Hunger Games trilogy] spread like wildfire,” says Annmarie Powers, a teacher in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., in a statement to USA TODAY, the Nation’s No. 1 Newspaper. The teacher explained that the books, written by author Suzanne Collins, “deal with themes that teens are consumed with: ‘fairness, relationships, plenty of violence and blood, greed, hypocrisy, subservience and rebellion.’”

Collins came up with the storyline one night while channel surfing. Images of televised news coverage of the U.S.-led war in Iraq blurred in her mind with scenes from a reality show and sparked an exciting idea. What about a story that focused on teens in a fight-to-the-death battle, televised live from start to finish?

Published in 2008, The Hunger Games riveted teens and adults alike. Followed by Catching Fire in 2009 and Mockingjay in 2010, each volume became an instant bestseller. The books evolved into major motion pictures, and Collins went behind the cameras to advise movie makers as her stories were translated onto the big screen. Discover the literary and personal influences that helped Collins create one of the most challenging visions of human nature.and rebellion.’"

Format Your Price Add
978-1-4677-0152-5
$38.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on hardcovers and ebooks when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Grade 6 - Grade 12
Reading Level Grade 7
Genre Young Adult
Copyright 2013
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Twenty-First Century Books ™
Language English
Number of Pages 112
Publication Date 2012-08-01
Reading Counts! Level 10.4
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS YAN006040, YAN008000, YAN006000
Dewey 813'.6
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 6 x 8.5
Lexile 1100
Features Bibliography/further reading, Index, Photo captions, Sidebars, Source notes, and Table of contents

Author: Marcia Amidon Lusted

Marcia Amidon Lusted has written 130 books and more than 500 magazine articles for young readers. She is a freelance editor and writing instructor, as well as a musician. She lives in New Hampshire.