Hunger Games Coloring Book Pages for Teens and Adults

Looking for quality Hunger Games coloring pages? I just posted a pack of over 20 pages in my teacher store. {They are currently on sale!} Get them here:

The Hunger Games Coloring Pages for Adults and Teens

Coloring is a great way to reduce stress and we all know how stressful it is being a teenager! Use these coloring pages as a motivational tool in your classroom. The less your students are stressed, the better results you'll get from them academically.

Some designs are more intricate and others are more simple (see preview for image of pages) to allow for both differentiation and for students (and adults) to add their own doodles. The beauty of the designs is that both teens and adults enjoy them.  

The coloring pages download is not affiliated, connected to, or endorsed in any way by Suzanne Collins, Scholastic Books, Lions Gate Movies, or any of the aforementioned affiliates. Clip art used is a combination of images created by Tracee Orman, Caryn Wheeler, and Kimberly Geswein (KG Fonts).

Mockingjay Part 1 Movie Review & Predictions for Part 2

Here's my non-spoiler immediate review after seeing "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1":

"Incredibly intense, less disappointing, amazing acting (Hoffman+Moore=Wowzers), sadness squared, and Oh. My. Peeta. Stay through the credits. They take forever, but you'll get a tiny reward for sticking around." - Hunger Games Trilogy Teaching Resources (a.k.a. HungerGamesLessons.com via Facebook)

Considering the material the movie makers had to work with (the first half of Suzanne Collins' novel Mockingjay), it was much better than I anticipated. I expected a movie with little action, lots of depressing scenes and crying, a messed-up and drugged-out Katniss Everdeen, a war-mongering Gale, and an evil President Coin. That's not really what we got. 

Warning: The rest of this post contains SPOILERS...

Favorite Scenes

Here were my favorite scenes from the movie, in no particular order:

1. The uprisings in Districts 7 and 5: All I kept thinking about during those scenes was the sacrifice those people were making for their cause. Those on the "front lines" who willingly acted as human shields for the others who held the precious explosives. Very powerful, very moving. I also appreciated seeing things outside of Katniss' narrow lens in the novels.

Image courtesy of Lions Gate Entertainment®

2. The Hanging Tree song: The song in the novel is so creepy and haunting. I never could figure out the melody of the tune. The way Jennifer Lawrence sings it is perfectly haunting, creepy in a cool way. It becomes the song of the revolution, inspiring the District 5 citizens to bomb the dam, allowing the rebels to take advantage of the loss of power in the Capitol.

Listen to Jennifer Lawrence sing "The Hanging Tree" song HERE.

3. Katniss' visit to the District 8 hospital: This scene was moving. Yes, I got teary-eyed when the D8 citizens gave Katniss the silent salute.

Image courtesy of Lions Gate Entertainment®

4. Rescuing Peeta, Annie, and Johanna in the Capitol: It was satisfying to see how this actually played out and I really liked the change to Katniss and Finnick's propos. I wondered how they would treat Finnick's confessional with a PG-13 rating. Those who read the book knew what he was saying and those who hadn't may not even realized all that he said since they had the dual screens running. 

Image courtesy of Lions Gate Entertainment®

5. Peeta's attack on Katniss: We knew it was coming, but it was still shocking and heart-breaking to see Peeta in this role. 

Image courtesy of Lions Gate Entertainment®

6. "My sister keeps her cat": OK, so it's not a scene but a quote. Still loved that moment when she requests that Coin allow Prim to keep Buttercup.

Image courtesy of Lions Gate Entertainment®

7. Finnick and Katniss talking in the bunker: Though he doesn't give Katniss some rope, I still enjoyed the moment Finnick tells Katniss he knew she loved Peeta after her reaction when Peeta's heart stopped in the arena. I wrote about that moment being foreshadowed here, and am glad they included it.

Image courtesy of Lions Gate Entertainment®

8. "Always": Another quote, but an additional scene with the old Peeta. It may be a little cheesy but, again, it is foreshadowing how Peeta will be able to reconnect his old memories after being hijacked. 

Top Disappointments

Major spoilers to the book!

A few of my biggest disappointments with the movie, along with questions and ponderings for Mockingjay Part 2:

1. "Evil" President Coin: What happened to the cold-hearted leader from the book? I found myself actually empathizing with President Coin. Why? We need to see her cruelty. I understand having the prep team in the movie may have been much, but at least give the viewer something that indicates this woman is two-faced. Coin was much too nice in the movie. 

2. “Well, don't expect us to be too impressed. We just saw Finnick Odair in his underwear.”: I have to admit, not hearing Boggs say this line and not seeing Finnick run out to the hovercraft, begging to go to District 8 was disappointing. 

3. The ending: Ugh. Why end there? At least give us some sense of hope for Peeta. Yes, we've read the books, so we know there is hope. But now I worry there's just TOO many scenes from the rest of Mockingjay that will be cut because there's no way they can all fit into one 2 ½ hour movie. Obviously I was way off in my prediction here.

4. Katniss talking about the bread: Though I think the way the rescue of Peeta was portrayed was good, I still wish we could hear Katniss talk about the bread–the moment Peeta saved their lives when she was 11. This probably means that part in chapter 16 when Peeta tells Katniss he remembers "about the bread" will be cut from the movie, huh?

5. "I kill Snow": Why was this major plot point left out when Katniss made her demands? Her entire mission is to get to the Capitol to kill the President. It's the only reason she willingly joins the Star Squad and the only reason she hangs on to life in the novel. Why did they decide not to include it? Well, I have no idea if this is why or not, but every time I read the novel with my classes we always ponder why she would want to kill Snow when she knows that person will never leave her. She has terrible nightmares of killing Marvel and sees his face as her arrow strikes. The aftermath of killing haunts a person forever. So why on earth would she ever want Snow to stay with her?
  Because this plot point was not included, how do you think the "plot twist" will happen when she is supposed to assassinate Snow?

Predictions: What will be cut from Mockingjay Part 2?

("Things That Make Me Go Hmmm...")

Because there are so many scenes left in the book, it is realistic to assume quite a bit will be cut. We already know that going to District 2 will be included, so that is not on he list. I've marked those I think will have to be in the movie and those that will probably be cut.

1. Gale and Beetee's death traps: The movie left off at the beginning of chapter 13. Part of the scene, however, isn't in the book (Coin addressing the D13 citizens); the other part of the scene (Katniss watching Peeta through the one-way glass), is in a modified way. But before she watches him, a VERY important part in the book foreshadowed the ending: Gale and Beetee's bomb plans. This is the moment Gale reveals to Katniss the plan to drop small bombs, wait for the medics to go in, then drop larger bombs that kill everyone. I'm pretty sure they'll find a way to get this scene in, right?? How can they not? *MUST BE IN MOCKINGJAY PART 2*

2. Delly helping Peeta remember scenes: Because Delly Cartwright isn't credited in the movie, it's safe to say those scenes where she tries to help Peeta and defend Katniss will be cut. *PROBABLY WON'T MAKE THE CUT*

3. Finnick & Annie's Wedding: Will it be important enough to be included? Hopefully. Will Peeta do the icing on the cake? Another hopeful moment. Is it a MUST to have in the movie? Yes. We want the audience to be emotionally attached to the two characters. Plus, considering it will be a PG-13 rating, it's a good idea to have them married then Annie be pregnant when Finnick departs for good... *MUST BE IN MOCKINGJAY PART 2*

4. Katniss and Johanna rooming and training together: The dialogue between these two unlikely friends is golden; it would be a travesty not to include these scenes. Besides, they show just how deeply the trauma of war affects the victims. But...is it essential to the story? Probably not. But it adds that depth I think should be included. And they owe us more Johanna! I really missed her in Part 1. *PROBABLY A MODIFIED VERSION*

5. Star Squad 451 going to the Capitol: Umm...yeah. This should be a given, right? Will ALL of the scenes from their mission through the Capitol be included? Highly unlikely. But it's safe to say that sending Peeta in after Leeg 2 dies, the mine and black slime that kills Boggs and Mitchell, Castor leading them through the sewer tunnels, the golden pod and meat grinder that takes Messalla, Jackson, and Leeg 1, and the half-human half-lizard mutts that kill Finnick, Homes, and Castor will make it into the movie. *MUST BE IN MOCKINGJAY PART 2*

6. Hiding at Tigris': Again, since they have cast her in Mockingjay Part 2, it's safe to say the remaining Star Squad members will hide out in her basement. I do look forward to Gale and Peeta's discussion about Katniss when they think she is sleeping. *MUST BE IN MOCKINGJAY PART 2*

7. President Snow's wall of children protection: Since they are the rebel's target for the first round of parachutes, it's safe to say that this scene, as well as the medics arriving and second round of parachutes dropping will make the cut. *MUST BE IN MOCKINGJAY PART 2*

8. Katniss' physical and mental trauma from the bombing: I don't think everything from chapters 25 and 26 will make it in. A lot of time passes and for most of it, Katniss is mute. Though it will be necessary to show some of the aftermath, I think these scenes will be greatly reduced. *PROBABLY A MODIFIED VERSION*

9. Finding Snow in the rose garden: Katniss needs to hear from Snow that Coin dropped the bombs, killing her sister. *MUST BE IN MOCKINGJAY PART 2*

10. The decision on whether or not to continue the Games with Capitol children: I think this part will be way too confusing to the viewer if they include it and Katniss votes "yes." In the novel, we read her thoughts on how nothing has changed and nothing will change if the Games continue. We know it is a test to see if Coin is as cruel as Snow. But unless she has this conversation with Haymitch beforehand aloud, the movie-goer who has not read the book will be lost. *PROBABLY WON'T MAKE THE CUT*

11. Katniss killing Coin instead of Snow: Essential to the story. *MUST BE IN MOCKINGJAY PART 2*

12. Katniss being imprisoned in the Training Center for months while her trial takes place: This probably won't be as long and drawn out as it seems in the novel, but there will have to be some sort of resolution. *PROBABLY A MODIFIED VERSION*

13. Returning to District 12: Katniss becoming her mother: Will Francis Lawrence portray Katniss as the depressed recluse her mother was when we first started this story? Will Buttercup find his way back to Katniss so they can both grieve together? Will Peeta's gesture of primrose flowers help Katniss start living again? Will the memory book project be shown, including pictures of Annie and Finnick's baby? Will they show Peeta and Katniss as a couple and having kids? I really hope all of these scenes make it in there. *MUST BE IN MOCKINGJAY PART 2*

Which scenes will be ADDED? 

What will they show outside of Katniss's perspective?

1. More Prim: They have to develop her character more, especially as a medic, in order to have the desired impact at the climax.

2. Coin's manipulation: My god, the woman is practically portrayed as a saint in Part 1. We need to see her ruthlessness.

3. Gale's violent tendencies and bomb-making: Gale's gotta turn more bad guy here, too. He wasn't jerky enough in Part 1. Otherwise they're going to have a ton of movie fan girls in an uproar when she ends up with Peeta.

4. Commander Paylor's influence: In the end, Paylor becomes president of Panem through an election. I want to see her more leading the people. In Part 1, she almost acted as a servant for Katniss rather than a Commander of the district. Show us how she wins the people of Panem over. (I am so glad they did not cast a white woman for this role. We need to see more diversity in leadership roles in the movies–and in real life.)

5. Resolve Caesar Flickerman's character status: What happened to Caesar in the end? Suzanne Collins doesn't resolve this for us in the novel, but certainly the movie audience will want to know what Stanley Tucci's character's fate is, right?

I'm sure I've left a lot out. Comment below with your own opinion and suggestions. Did you like the movie? Why or why not?

CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS

Ask your students to list their favorite scenes, biggest let-downs, predictions and additional scenes they anticipate in Mockingjay Part 2. Use my guide and handouts, which is on sale through opening weekend:

What Can We Learn About Social Behavior from The Hunger Games?

Effie Trinket—a character from Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games—is the epitome of poise.

Yet, when she tries to teach Katniss and Peeta manners during their sojourns to the Capitol, she doesn't always exhibit the best of them herself. Take, for example, her response to Katniss and Peeta eating with forks in chapter 3 (p. 44); it was quite rude: "'At least, you two have decent manners...The pair last year ate everything with their hands like a couple of savages. It completely upset my digestion.'"

While Effie personifies prim and proper, she maintains a Capitol arrogance that practically prevents her from exhibiting an ideal etiquette. In fact, Peeta's social graces are probably most socially acceptable. (But ask your students their own opinions. Perhaps they will say Prim, Madge, or even the baker.)

So what can we learn from Effie on correct social behavior? What can we learn from other characters?

One discussion I have with my students while reading Part I of The Hunger Games is the irony of Effie's attitude toward the citizens of District 12. In chapter 6, Effie refers to the district citizens as barbarians. Yet, it is the Capitol citizens who are watching children kill one another for entertainment. Which citizens are the real barbarians?

Using Interactive Notebooks
My Hunger Games (and Catching Fire and Mockingjay) teaching units offer numerous opportunities to use interactive notebooks while reading. For this lesson, have your students create a T-chart with one column labeled District citizens and one column labeled Capitol citizens. (Feel free to make a copy of the Google Docs chart in the link. You can have your students use it as an online collaborative worksheet or an individual reading notebook activity.) Have your students add events, quotes, and examples from throughout the book, then answer the follow-up questions for deeper analysis. Make sure to have your students compare both columns to our own society. What does Panem reveal about us?

Do you have a topic you'd like to see me address in my "Classroom Connections" posts? If so, please comment below with suggestions. Thanks for reading!

Catching Fire Movie Review Part 2: Least Favorite Moments *Spoiler Alert*

While I actually really liked the sequel "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire", there were a few things that kind of disappointed me. Are these deal-breakers? Not really, though the subtle hint at what is to come kind of worries me (I address this in my final point, below). Overall, I think the movie was a much better representation of the novel than the first. You can read all my favorite moments HERE. Continue on for my least favorite (which is a much smaller list, by the way).

*This list contains SPOILERS to the Catching Fire novel and movie AND Mockingjay novel.*


Moments that disappointed in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" movie:

• Plutarch's missing watch...why leave it out? Was it going to be too obvious? Too much of a giveaway? I don't know, but it seemed such an important part of the book and I couldn't help being disappointed when it was left out.

• Peeta training with the morphlings...This isn't really a disappointing scene since it was left out. We're teased about it in US Weekly, but it never made it to the final cut. I really hope they put the deleted scenes on the DVD extras. I'd like to see more of everything from the movie!


• Katniss's Jesus-like sacrificial crane ride into the hovercraft...This was a little too overdone for my taste. I get that it's symbolic; I get that she thinks she is dead (anyone who read the book knows this already). So when she takes this ride up I really didn't need the arms-out Jesus-on-the-cross image to reinforce it. Besides, the flames below only made her outline look even more green-screened and fake.


• Finnick's unemotional appeal on the hovercraft...In the book, Finnick is ready to die alongside Katniss; he's an emotional wreck. The fact that Annie will probably be tortured by President Snow is too much to bear. And yet, here he is in the movie scheming along with Haymitch and Plutarch, not at all frazzled and desperate.


• The final scene with Katniss on the table...The second time I saw the movie, all I could think about was how much it reminded me of Bella in Twilight's Breaking Dawn Part 1 final scene. *Cringe* I know there is absolutely no comparison, but this really didn't do it for me for the ending.
  I see the look of terror in her eyes, then she slightly squints, telling us that she wants to seek revenge against the Capitol. But that's not how the book ends. Nor is it how Mockingjay starts. She wants nothing to do with this rebellion. She doesn't want to be the damn mockingjay. It infuriates her when she realizes she's just a pawn. She is so against the rebellion, it takes five chapters in Mockingjay to convince her to be the mockingjay. And even then she only does it on certain conditions.
  But, the look in her eyes at the end of the movie tells us she has committed to the cause, like a soldier who has signed on to fight in a war, not realizing the horrors that come next. Like she has it all together and will help lead the revolution. Somehow that look in her eyes at the end felt fake, contrived, because Katniss never really feels this way in the novels. Not once does Suzanne Collins glorify war in her novels. Not a single death is gratifying, including those of Presidents Coin and Snow. Katniss is an utter wreck at the end of Catching Fire; if she had squeezed her eyes closed and let a single tear fall, that final scene would have been more fitting.


My final notes:

After Katniss shoots the forcefield,
none of the characters are ever the same again.

  If Francis Lawrence wants to show how war hurts everyone, he can't show Katniss as a strong warrior anymore. We know from the books that as soon as Katniss lets that arrow fly into the forcefield, none of the characters–besides maybe Beetee–are ever the same again, including the Girl on Fire. They are merely survivors in a world they don't even want to belong. Depressing? Yes.
  But we must put aside this desperation to make Katniss commercially appealing in order to stay true to the message of the novels: war is completely depressing. Everyone loses. Everyone is broken. And we spend our entire lives trying to put the pieces back together.


Which moments were less-than-stellar in your opinion? Please share in the comments below.

Sources--All references to and images from the movie and novel are credited to:
©2013"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" Lions Gate Entertainment Inc.® http://www.lionsgate.com/
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins ©Sep 2009, Suzanne Collins, publ. Scholastic Press, 978-0-439-02349-8 http://www.scholastic.com/home/
Other images: Hunger Games Explorer - http://www.thehungergamesexplorer.com/us/
http://mockingjay.net/2013/11/13/hi-res-stills-the-hunger-games-catching-fire/peeta-morphling/

Catching Fire Movie Review, Part 1: Scenes That Wowed Me *Spoiler Alert*

  "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" is fast-paced and stays relatively true to the books. I have seen the movie twice and in both instances am thoroughly impressed with the acting, the sequence of events, and the choices the director–Francis Lawrence–makes. It is much more satisfying than the first movie, though I still worry about some of the themes translating to those who have not read the books.
  The following list includes my favorite moments from the movie. I will include my least-favorite in a separate post. Please note: there are movie and book *spoilers* to both Catching Fire AND Mockingjay in my lists!


Moments that WOWed me in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire":

• District 11 Victory Tour stop...everything about that scene was spot-on. And it was just as heart-breaking–if not more–seeing it as it was reading it. When Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) looked at Rue's family and began talking about how she sees Rue in the wildflowers, in the mockingjays, and especially in her sister Prim, the tears started streaming. They played the same heart-wrenching music we heard in "The Hunger Games" after Rue's death, which was a reminder of the first round of tears shed for Rue. But the moment that actually made me choke back some sobs was when the old man whistled and gave Katniss the silent salute. Jennifer Lawrence's reaction mimicked the audience's: the horror, the helplessness, the disgust of the atrocity that happens next to the old man. Peeta's (Josh Hutcherson's) reaction had the same horrified look when the trigger was pulled. Thankfully the door closes to spare the audience–and keep it at a PG-13 rating–but that doesn't mean it didn't diminish the effect of what had happened. The Capitol's reaction to the seemingly innocent whistle and salute is still frighteningly terrifying.


• Snow's granddaughter...what a great addition to the story! It will tie in very nicely with Mockingjay and really showcased Katniss's impact with the Capitol audience.

• Buttercup is back...Thank you, Suzanne Collins, for insisting that Buttercup's portrayal is true to the novels. Yes, it's a small detail. But it is only when Buttercup returns to District 12 looking for Prim that both the reader and Katniss finally grieve and come to terms with the loss of the beloved character.

• Effie and Caesar, aka Elizabeth Banks and Stanley Tucci. Their acting provided the perfect comic relief. If it weren't for the scenes these two played in, it would have been such a depressing movie. They both showcased the ridiculous and outlandish Capitol attitude of excess and egocentrism.

• "Always"...though we never know what the word is that Peeta says to Katniss as he stays with her in the novel Catching Fire (in this case, on the train rather than at her home after she injures her tailbone and ankle), we do get to hear him say it in the movie. Though I would have liked a little warmer bonding between the two in this scene and in prior scenes, I love that they included it because it tells me they won't leave it out in "Mockingjay Part 2." It's that one word that brings the old Peeta back from his highjacked state, and lets Katniss know that he IS still in there, he does still love her, she just has to help him find his way back; it's the word that tells her she can't kill him no matter how much he begs her to end his life. Bravo to Francis Lawrence for including this line.


• "Fire in the house!"...Claudius Templesmith's line shouted during the Opening Ceremony was one of the funniest moments for me. In fact, the banter between him and Caesar was perfection.

• Finnick Odair...It makes me wonder why anyone would have questioned the decision to cast Sam Caflin as Finnick. He was almost exactly as I pictured Finnick with his stunning smile and cocky attitude. When he offers Katniss a sugar cube, I was hooked.


• Cinna's farewell...You know it's coming, but nothing prepares you for the inhumanity of Cinna's punishment for transforming Katniss's wedding dress into a mockingjay. Just watch Katniss and you can't help feeling the injustice, helplessness, and fear as she enters the arena.

• Mags...every scene that Lynn Cohen played in was perfect. When Mags meets Katniss for the first time, no words are needed. Her eyes show us all the emotion we need: she feels for Katniss, respects that she volunteered for her sister, and believes in her. Mags shows us how others see Katniss: the symbol of hope, the hope for change, the possibility that someday they can be free. Pretty deep when you consider she says it all without uttering a single word.


• Peeta's "death" in the arena...When Peeta hits the forcefield and Finnick saves his life, it's Katniss's reaction that is so stirring. Enough to affect even Snow's granddaughter. I love that we see Finnick look at Katniss strangely in that scene because it foreshadows the Mockingjay scene when he tells Katniss that he knew she loved Peeta (that it wasn't an act) when she thought Peeta was dead in the arena. To me, this shows such attention to detail by director Francis Lawrence. He knew he had to have Finnick react that way in order to pull off that Mockingjay scene.

• The monkeys...Oh. My. Word. They were incredibly disturbing. No, they weren't really orange, but that didn't bother me. This scene happens in the early morning, so it is still dark. And thank God it is. I think if we saw that scene in full daylight, it would have been even more frightening.

• The jabberjays...Again, a stunning and emotionally-terrifying scene. Jennifer Lawrence and Sam Caflin are convincingly tormented by the cries from their loved ones; Josh Hutcherson is equally remarkable trying to convince Katniss that they aren't real. This scene truly portrayed the psychological agony felt by the tributes.

• "There's no one left I love."...Johanna Mason (played brilliantly by Jena Malone) is every bit attitude and spunk as she is in the book. Her line about having no one left really digs deep.


• Beach scene...I loved the locket (and how this was foreshadowed when Effie says to Peeta, "This is the item we discussed..." tipping us off that they had a private conversation about it; it makes me love Effie even more that she got the pictures of Katniss's mom, sister, and Gale for Peeta). I loved how Peeta tried to convince Katniss that she should live. I just wish there was a little more to this scene.


Which leads me to my least-favorite moments. You can read those HERE. But you'll notice the list is much smaller than this. I really did like this movie and thought it was so much better than the first. I think you'll be satisfied with it as a sequel. Please share your thoughts and comments below.

Sources--All references to and images from the movie and novel are credited to:
©2013"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" Lions Gate Entertainment Inc.® http://www.lionsgate.com/
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins ©Sep 2009, Suzanne Collins, publ. Scholastic Press, 978-0-439-02349-8 http://www.scholastic.com/home/
Buttercup: https://twitter.com/QuarterQuellOrg/status/389516132975394817/photo/1
Other images: Hunger Games Explorer - http://www.thehungergamesexplorer.com/us/

Which Catching Fire Quotes MUST Make the Movie?

Which quotes from Catching Fire are must-haves for the movie? 

Some of my favorite lines from the novel aren't actually quotes, but thoughts from Katniss's stream of consciousness (or internal monologue). I think they are essential to tell the story, but I don't know how they can be portrayed in the movie. This, of course, is where good acting comes in and I have no doubt that Jennifer Lawrence will be able to express these things without words. And we probably agree that some thoughts are just better if they aren't spoken aloud because it diminishes their meaning or sounds awkward.

For example, I love these lines from the book, but I know they would not have the same impact if they were spoken out loud:

“I realize the answer to who I am lies in that handful of poisonous fruit.” -Katniss, p. 118

“...everything will just get more complicated and I really can't think about kissing when I've got a rebellion to incite.” -Katniss, p. 125-126

“I have only one real friend in here.  And he isn’t from District 4.” -Katniss, p. 276

“I have always known who the enemy is. Who starves and tortures and kills us in the arena. Who will soon kill everyone I love.” -Katniss, p. 378

“The bird, the pin, the song, the berries, the watch, the cracker, the dress that burst into flames. I am the mockingjay. The one that survived despite the Capitol’s plans. The symbol of the rebellion.” -Katniss, p. 386-387

Therefore, I am counting on Jennifer Lawrence to do another phenomenal job expressing these lines, conveying their meaning.

The actual quotes I do hope make the movie include:

“You could do a lot worse, you know.” -Haymitch, p. 45

“I only ever spoke to Thresh one time. Just long enough for him to spare my life. I didn't know him, but I always respected him. For his power. For his refusal to play the Games on anyone's terms but his own. The Careers wanted him to team up with them from the beginning, but he wouldn't do it. I respected him for that.”  -Katniss p. 60

“But I feel as if I did know Rue, and she'll always be with me. Everything beautiful brings her to mind. I see her in the yellow flowers that grow in the Meadow by my house. I see her in the mockingjays that sing in the trees. But most of all, I see her in my sister, Prim.”  -Katniss, p. 61

“Well, with an uprising in District Eight, I doubt he's spending much time choosing my wedding cake!” -Katniss, p. 99

“You could live a hundred lifetimes and not deserve him, you know.” -Haymitch, p. 178

“I just want to spend every possible minute of the rest of my life with you.” -Peeta, p. 244

“You just remember who the enemy is.” -Haymitch, p. 260

“I don’t care if you are knocked up, I’ll rip your throat out.” -Johanna, p. 328

“If they really killed her like this, they’d probably have an uprising on their hands...Don’t want that, do they? Whole country in rebellion? Wouldn’t want anything like that!” -Johanna, p. 346

"So it's you and a syringe against the Capitol? See, this is why no one lets you make the plans." -Haymitch, p. 384

“We had to save you because you’re the mockingjay, Katniss.” -Plutarch, p. 386

“I wish [Annie] was dead...I wish they were all dead and we were, too. It would be best.” -Finnick, p. 389

I am sure there are many more. Which ones are your favorites that you think are essential to the movie? Post your feedback in the comments below.

Read more about using quotes as a classroom activity here.

All quotes are from:
Collins, Suzanne, and Elizabeth B. Parisi. Catching Fire. New York: Scholastic Press, 2009. Print.
ISBN-10: 9780439023498
ISBN-13: 978-0439023498

Mockingjay Movie Casting News

I've been enjoying the numerous casting announcements for "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2" movies. So many characters from books never seem to make it to the big screen in their movie adaptations, but it seems like many of the new characters in Mockingjay will. *SPOILER ALERT* The following has spoilers if you have yet to read Mockingjay.

Those who have been cast are:
From District 13
President Coin (Julianne Moore), Boggs (Mahershala Ali), Leeg 1 & 2 (Kim & Misty Ormiston), Homes (Omid Abtahi), Mitchell (Joe Chrest), and Lt. Jackson (Michelle Forbes). Update: Commander Lyme is listed as a District 13 leader rather than District 2 leader, according to Entertainment Weekly.

From Various Districts
Commander Paylor from District 8 (Patina Miller), Commander Lyme - a former victor from District 2 (Lily Rabe Gwendoline Christie) see update above, Annie Cresta from District 4 (Stef Dawson)

Capitol Citizens
The film crew: Cressida (Natalie Dormer), Messalla (Evan Ross), Castor (Wes Chatham), and Pollux (Elden Henson) UPDATE: Tigris will be played by Eugenie Bondurant

The Star Squad 451 is just missing two members for casting: Mitchell (the oldest member of the squadron) and Jackson (the second-in-command to Boggs). Who do you think would best fit those roles? Or do you think they will be left out? UPDATE: All members of the Star Squad have been cast. Joe Chrest will be playing Mitchell and Michelle Forbes will be playing Lt. Jackson. 

However, according to Entertainment Weekly, Commander Lyme is listed as a "District 13 Leader" rather than a District 2 leader. So...will she be part of the Star Squad? Or will she train Katniss and Johanna (in place of York)? What do you think?

Other characters from Mockingjay that have not been cast include Fulvia Cardew (Plutarch's assistant who comes up with the "We Remember" propos), York (she trained Katniss and Johanna in D13 to prepare them for war), Tigris (the former Capitol stylist who helps the remaining Star Squad members penetrate Snow's mansion) update--Tigris is played by Eugenie Bondurant, Eddy (the adorable boy from District 8 that tugs at Katniss's heart), Dr. Aurelius (Katniss's doctor who testifies on her behalf during her trial).

Other minor characters from both Catching Fire and Mockingjay include Hazelle Hawthorne and children Rory, Vick, and Posy (Gale's mom and siblings); Delly Cartwright (D12 survivor and truly nice person Peeta was friends with); Lavinia and Darius (red-headed Avoxes, Darius being a former D12 Peacekeeper); Leevy and Thom (D12 citizens who helped Gale after his whipping and appear in Mockingjay); Dalton (the cattle rancher from D10 and refugee to D13); and of course Greasy Sae and her granddaughter, though perhaps the older lady in "The Hunger Games" movie is Greasy Sae and she'll make a reappearance in "Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay."

Are there any that would disappoint you if they weren't cast? Please leave a comment and share!

Classroom Connections: Ask your students who they would cast for each part and why.

Need to brush up on your Mockingjay characters? Check out my Mockingjay character cut-up activity; the hands-on activity is great for interactive notebooks & reading journals!






Photo credits: Images used in graphics from Lions Gate Entertainment®. Graphics by Tracee Orman of Hunger Games Lessons.

Celebrating Shakespeare: The Ides of March Are Come...But Not Gone

March 15th is upon us, which means it is officially the ides of March, or middle of the month. Of course, this statement has much deeper meaning than just professing the date. It is the day Julius Caesar was stabbed 23 times--and warned almost as many times--in William Shakespeare's play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.

Instead of rewriting another post to commemorate this date, please read the one I wrote two years ago:

Beware the Ides of March: Lessons Men Can Learn from Julius Caesar

Also, you can find many connections between The Hunger Games trilogy (in particular Mockingjay) and Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar was not the only character who lost his life in a brutal manner on the ides of March. Cinna the poet is also brutally attacked for having the same name as a conspirator. Even after finding out he is not a conspirator, the angry mob murders him "for his bad verses." Re-read page 334 of Mockingjay--in particular about the "unfortunate incident." Coincidence? I think not.

There are so many allusions like this in the trilogy, which makes it all the more interesting when you re-read the series. So today, on the ides of March, let's celebrate the richness of literature and share our favorite quotes from Shakespeare and/or The Hunger Games trilogy. Please add yours in the comments below.

Caesar's response to Calpurnia when she is urging him to stay home.

From Mark Antony's funeral speech.

You can find materials for both Julius Caesar and Mockingjay (with connections to Caesar) in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Font in images by Kimberly Geswein.