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MY NAME IS KATNISS EVERDEEN.
WHY AM I NOT DEAD?
I SHOULD BE DEAD.

Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There... read more

Summary edit see section history

Mockingjay opens with Katniss surveying the ruins of District 12, while trying to grapple with her feelings of responsibility and sadness towards the firebombing that occurred at the end of Catching Fire. Peeta is still a prisoner of the Capitol, and his family was killed in the bombing.... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Mockingjay opens with Katniss surveying the ruins of District 12, while trying to grapple with her feelings of responsibility and sadness towards the firebombing that occurred at the end of Catching Fire. Peeta is still a prisoner of the Capitol, and his family was killed in the bombing. Katniss struggles in the book in deciding between Peeta - the boy with the bread - and Gale, her hunting partner.

Katniss then talks of her new life with the rebels in the underground District 13. When Peeta appears on a Capitol broadcast, Katniss sees that he is being used, and strikes a deal with the District 13 leader, President Coin: in exchange for immunity for all of the Hunger Games victors and the opportunity to kill President Snow herself, she agrees to become the symbol of rebellion for the rebels.

Soon Peeta and other victors are rescued from the Captiol, but Peeta's memories have been tampered with, and he now hates Katniss. He struggles to find the false memories and is confused by certain details that the Captiol did not tamper. Snow showed him no mercy and he is now out of control. District 13 tries to get back the old sweet, gentle Peeta but fears he will never be the same, for his hate for Katniss is strong enough to kill.

Katniss is assigned to Troop 451, where she, Finnick, Gale, Boggs, an Avox named Pollux, his brother Castor, Peeta, and five others are to be filmed invading the Capitol for propaganda purposes. Katniss plans to sneak away from the group and assassinate Snow on her own. During the mission to the Capitol, they lose members to land mines, muttations, party strife and Capitol assaults. The five remaining members split up upon reaching the Capitol. Katniss presses alone towards Snow's mansion, where the president has penned many children in front of his mansion as human shields for his own safety. An apparent Capitol assault kills several of the children and bystanders, including Katniss' sister Prim who was part of the rebels' medical team.

President Snow is tried and found guilty, but Katniss discovers that the final assault that killed Prim and the children may have been the result of a plan once developed by Gale. Katniss realizes that she will never be able to look at him the same way, even though he was not directly involved with the deaths of the children and Prim.

As Katniss goes to execute Snow, Katniss remembers a conversation with Snow in which they promised not to lie to each other. Thus, she changes her aim and kills Coin instead. She is then imprisoned but acquitted due to her apparent insanity. She endures morphling addiction, catatonic depression and suicidal thoughts.

Katniss is waken from her stupor by Haymitch who informs of her acquittal by the government. Haymitch explains that pandemonium exploded when Katniss assassinated Coin and states that Snow was found dead, possibly of choking on his own blood while laughing at Katniss's decision. Katniss returns to her old house in the Victor's Village and finds Greasy Sae there to take care of her as she struggles to find meaning in her life. One day, she goes outside and finds Peeta planting primroses beside her house, in memory of her sister. Katniss and Peeta help each other through the terrible psychological aftermath of the Games and the war, and over time, Katniss discovers that she loves Peeta as he recalls his old love for her.

In the epilogue, Katniss speaks as an adult, over twenty years later. She is married to Peeta and they have two children. The Hunger Games are over, but she dreads the day her children's innocent world is shattered by learning of the games and the war along with their parent's roles in each. Katniss has taken to counting every good thing that she has seen someone do when she feels upset — which she says is a tedious game, but not the worst there is in the world.

Characters edit see section history

  • Katniss Everdeen: 16-year-old girl moved from the Seam in the 12th District to District 13, the newly exposed rebellion force. She is headstrong and loved by many, especially Peeta and Gale, her best friends. She cares deeply for her family, too.
  • Peeta Mellark: Katniss' fellow victor from the 74th Hunger Games. He is a baker, a painter, and has been in love with Katniss most of his life.
  • Gale Hawthorne: Katniss' skilled hunting partner and long-time friend who has fallen in love with Katniss though she has a hard time seeing it. He has saved many people from District 12.
  • Primrose Everdeen: Katniss's younger sister Primrose, also nicknamed "Prim", is the only person whom Katniss would do anything for. Prim is a great healer, just like their mother and is very gentle with a timid spirit. She is loved by most all who know her.
  • President Coriolanus Snow: The president of Panem and the most powerful man living. From Katniss' action in starting the rebellion, he has threatened everyone she cares about, unless she tames the "spark" she has created. He is described as having distinctive puffed up lips and smells of roses and blood.
  • Haymitch Abernathy: A District 12 Victor, along with Katniss and Peeta. Haymitch won the 2nd Quarter Quell. He is always (or almost always) drunk, very cunning and to a certain extent secretive. He mentored Katniss and Peeta. One of the few people who understandsKatniss better than she understands herself.
  • Mrs. Everdeen: She is Katniss and Prim's mother. A healer by trade.
  • Mr. Everdeen: Mr. Everdeen is Katniss and Prim's father. He died in a mining accident years ago, but left great memories to Katniss and taught her a lot about hunting. He taught Katniss a song about the Hanging Tree, which was a secret song they shared but kept from Katniss' mother. He was a great singer. Whenever he'd sing the birds would stop to listen to him and then repeat his tune. He never appears in the book.
  • Finnick Odair: District 4 Victor who won the 64th Games at the age of 14 using his wit, charm, and good looks. In the Quarter Quell he basically babysits Katniss and Peeta and makes sure no harm comes to them, even if it means giving his life. He is in love with Annie Cresta.
  • Plutarch Heavensbee: The ex-Game Master of the Quarter Quell.
  • Alma Coin: The president of District 13. Icily cold in her demeanor and decisions. A consummate politician.
  • Cinna: Katniss' friend and stylist during the Hunger Games. Known for his exceptional artistic taste and being one of the few who has Katniss' trust.
  • Fulvia Cardew: Plutarch's assistant.
  • Paylor: Commander of District 8.
  • Delly Cartwright: A childhood friend of Peeta and Katniss. Always happy and sees the best in people.
  • Annie Cresta: A previous Hunger Games victor with whom Finnick Odair is deeply in love. She went mad after her District partner was beheaded in the Games she won.
  • Pollux: An avox who used to work for the Capitol. Brother of Castor. Is one of the "insects," or cameramen for Katniss. He helps Katniss and others when they need it the most.
  • Castor: Brother of Pollux. Is one of the "insects," cameramen for Katniss.
  • Boggs: A personal guard to President Coin. Desires to see Katniss prevail.
  • Beetee: Technology genius and past victor.
  • Octavia: Cinna's assistant. One of Katniss' stylists.
  • Johanna Mason: One of the victors of the Hunger Games. She was in the third Quarter Quell.
  • Cressida: She is in charge of filming propos. Helps Katniss.
  • Jackson: Commander for District 2.
  • Caesar Flickerman: The always smiling News broadcaster who interviews Katniss and Peeta on multiple television appearances.
  • Mitchell: A rebel who fights alongside Katniss.
  • Darius: Former peacekeeper from district 12; friend of Katniss and Gale.
  • Dr. Aurelius: A psychologist in District 13. In charge of the mental fitness of the former Victors.
  • Messalla: Cressida's assistant.
  • Romulus Thread: District 12's Head Peacekeeper who was sent to replace Cray.
  • Madge Undersee: The daughter of District 12's mayor and Katniss' friend. She gave Katniss the Mockingjay pin.
  • Bonnie & Twill: District 8 refugees that Katniss meets in the woods.
  • Enobaria: The vicious captured District 2 tribute.
  • Venia: A member of Katniss' prep team. Golden tattoos. Occasionally over-emotional with Flavius.
  • Flavius: A member of Katniss' prep team. Guy. Occasionally over-emotional.
  • Greasy Sae: An old woman from District 12 who now works in District 13's controlled kitchen. Used to work at the Hob in district 12. Traded with Katniss for meat and greens for food she prepared and sold in the hob.
  • Leevy: The Everdeens' neighbor back in District 12, before it was destroyed.
  • Hazelle: Gale's mother. Widowed in the same accident that took Katniss's father.
  • Posy: Gale's 5 year old sister.
  • Claudius Templesmith: The official announcer of the Hunger Games.
  • Eddy: He is a boy from District 8.
  • Lyme: She is a middle-aged woman and the commander of the rebels of District 2. She is also a past victor.
  • Soldier York: One of Katniss' trainers.
  • Homes: One of the rebels who fights alongside Katniss.
  • Tigris: An old stylist from the Capitol with a cat-like appearance.
  • Effie Trinket: She is the maniacally upbeat woman who arrives once a year to read out the names at the reaping and one of the District 12 tributes' escorts. She and Haymitch don't get along very well. She helps the tributes before the Hunger Games.
  • Thom: He is Gale's old crewmate at the Mines.
  • Leeg One: One of the Leeg sisters
  • Leeg Two: One of the Leeg sisters
  • Lavinia: Red-headed Avox who serves Katniss on the train to the Games. Katniss had seen her abducted by a hovercraft in Hunger Games.
  • Leeg 1: Add a description of this character.
  • Clove
  • Head Peacekeeper
  • Cato
  • Prim
  • Dalton
Show all 56 characters
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “Our hands find each other, holding fast to a part of 12 that Snow has somehow failed to destroy.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “Frankly, our ancestors don't seem much to brag about. I mean, look at the state they left us in, with the wars and the broken planet. Clearly, they didn't care about what would happen to the people that came after them.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “Why, do you find this"--he strikes a ridiculously provocative pose--"distracting?”
    Finnick Odair
  • “"Oh, no. It costs a lot more than your life. To murder innocent people?" says Peeta. "It costs everything you are."”
    Peeta Mellark
  • “Don't be a fool, Katniss. Think for yourself. They've turned you into a weapon that could be instrumental in the destruction of humanity. If you've got any real influence, use it to put the brakes on this thing. Use it to stop the war before it will be too late. Ask yourself: do you really trust the people you're working with? Do you really know what's going on? And if you don't... find out.”
    Peeta Mellark
  • “Katniss...he's still trying to keep you alive.”
    Gale Hawthorne
  • “In other words, I step out of line and we're all dead.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “They'll either want to kill you, kiss you, or be you.”
    Finnick Odair
  • “And that, my friends, is how a revolution dies.”
    Haymitch Abernathy
  • “What are you worried about? I'm the one who needs the bodyguard.”
    Haymitch Abernathy
  • “If we lose? Then I would expect next year's Hunger Games to be quite unforgettable.”
    Plutarch Heavensbee
  • “Maybe everyone is just trying to protect me by lying to me. I don't care. I'm sick of people lying to me for my own good. Because really it's mostly for their own good.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “It's on the third night, during our game, that I answer the question eating away at me.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “Sure there is. Beetee and I have been following the same rule book President Snow used when he hijacked Peeta.”
    Gale Hawthorne
  • “But word's gotten out that mockingjays are hazardous to your health.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “Well, you're a piece of work, aren't you?”
    Peeta Mellark
  • “It takes a long time before I get to the bottom of why I'm so upset. When I do, it's almost too mortifying to admit. All those months of taking it for granted that Peeta thought I was wonderful are over. Finally, he can see me for who I really am. Untrustworthy. Manipulative. Deadly.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “Peeta: You'll have to be a little more specific. What about me? | Johanna: That they've replaced you with the evil-mutt version of yourself.”
  • “I send a silent thank-you to Dalton for suggesting I wash off the makeup. How ridiculous, how perverse I would feel presenting that painted Capitol mask to these people. The damage, the fatigue, the imperfections. That's how they recognize me, why I belong to them.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “Roses. Wolf mutts. Tributes. Frosted dolphins. Friends. Mockingjays. Stylists. Me. Everything screams in my dreams tonight.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “Finnick: Ladies and gentlemen... | Katniss: Let the Seventy-sixth Hunger Games begin!”
  • “Don't worry. You'll have plenty of real targets to hit. But don't get blown up. I've got enough on my plate without having to replace you. Now get to the Capitol and put on a good show.”
    Plutarch Heavensbee
  • “Tomorrow morning, when we pull Katniss Everdeen's body from the ashes, we will see exactly who the Mockingjay is. A dead girl who could save no one, not even herself.”
    President Snow
  • “I think...you still have no idea. The effect you can have.”
    Peeta Mellark
  • “I wouldn't much care except the sight of my body brings back the memory of the pain. And why I was in pain. And what happened just before the pain started.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “Oh, my dear Miss Everdeen. I thought we had agreed not to lie to each other.”
    President Snow
  • “What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again. And only Peeta can give me that.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “But one day I'll have to explain about my nightmares. Why they came. Why they won't ever really go away.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “My name is Katniss Everdeen. I am seventeen years old. My home is District 12. I was in the Hunger Games. I escaped. The Capital hates me. Peeta was taken prisoner. He is alive. He is a traitor but alive. I have to keep him alive...”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “You can torture us and bomb us and burn our districts to the ground, but do you see that? Fire is catching! And if we burn, YOU burn with us!”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “Never underestimate the power of a great stylist.”
    Peeta Mellark
  • “It’s not wondering what I breathe in, but who, that threatens to choke me.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “You could ask for the moon and they’d have to find a way to get it.”
    Gale Hawthorne
  • “Good news, Katniss! I think we almost got him convinced him you’re not a mutt!”
    Plutarch Heavensbee
  • “Do you want me to have them sedate you until it's over?”
    Haymitch Abernathy
  • “Peeta: Yes. And if I could grow wings, I could fly. Only people can’t grow wings. Real or not real? | Katniss: Real. But people don’t need wings to survive. | Peeta: Mockingjays do.”
  • “Friend. Lover. Victor. Enemy. Fiancée. Target. Mutt. Neighbor. Hunter. Tribute. Ally. I’ll add it to the list of words I use to try to figure you out. The problem is, I can’t tell what’s real anymore, and what’s made up.”
    Peeta Mellark
  • “Katniss: Did you love Annie right away, Finnick? | Finnick: No. She crept up on me.”
  • “While I was waiting…I ate your lunch.”
    Haymitch Abernathy
  • “On the last page is a picture of my Mockingjay pin. And under it, Cinna wrote, "I'm still betting on you."”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “Well, don't expect us to be too impressed. We just saw Finnick Odair in his underwear.”
    Boggs
  • “One man in a fluffy robe only carried an overripe banana.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “I'll keep the ear-piece in!”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “Plutarch: "Just look at the effect Katniss had running around in that Mockingjay suit. Turned the whole rebellion around. Do you notice how she's the only one not complaining? It's because she understands the power of that screen." Katniss in her thoughts: Actually, Katniss isn't complaining because she has no intention of staying with the "Star Squad," but she recognized the necessity of getting to the Capitol before carrying out any plan.”
    Plutarch and Katniss Everdeen's thoughts
  • “Peeta: I wonder how she will make up her mind. | Gale: Oh, that I do know. Katniss will pick whoever she thinks she can't survive without.”
  • “Still, I hate them. But, of course, I hate almost everybody now. Myself more than anyone.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “I no longer feel any allegiance to these monsters called human beings, despise being one myself. I think that Peeta was onto something about us destroying one another and letting some decent species take over. Because something is significantly wrong with a creature that sacrifices its children's lives to settle its differences.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “I look at my little sister and think how she has inherited the best qualities our family has to offer: my mother's healing hands, my father's level head, and my fight. There's also something else there as well, something entirely her own. An ability to look into the confusing mess of life and see things for what they are.”
    Katniss
  • “The page begins with the person's picture. A photo if we can find it. If not, a sketch or painting by Peeta. Then, in my most careful handwriting, come all the details it would be a crime to forget ... We seal the pages with salt water and promises to live well to make their deaths count.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “People of Panem, we fight, we dare, we end our hunger for justice.”
  • “You don't destroy what you want to acquire in the future.”
    Alma Coin via Katniss Everdeen
  • “Nobody's safe...And you in 13 dead by morning.”
    Peeta Mellark
  • “It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.”
    Finnick
  • “But there are much worse games to play.”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “"You love me. Real or not real?" I tell him, "Real."”
  • “Do you find this, distracting?”
    Finnick Odair
  • “Fire is catching...and if we burn, you burn with us”
    Katniss Everdeen
  • “"What is it, sweetheart? More boy trouble?"”
    Haymitch Abernathy
  • “" Oh my dear Miss Everdeen. I thought we had agreed not to lie to each other."”
    President Snow
Show all 60 quotes from this book

Setting & Locations edit see section history

The story takes place in the fictional post-apocalyptic country of Panem, a territory that used to be North America, sometime in the future.
  • District 12: The former coal-mining district, where Katniss, Gale, and Peeta grew up. District 12 was obliterated by fire-bombing under the direct order of President Snow. The only place in the district still standing is Victor's Village.
  • District 13: Long believed to have been entirely destroyed by the Capitol, District 13 has survived the Capitol's attack, and is now the underground headquarters of the rebellion. Before the failed revolt 75 years ago, District 13 provided nuclear power to Panem.
  • The Capitol: The power center which controls all Panem but relies on the Districts for food and goods. The Capitol employs the Hunger Games to remind the districts of their previous, failed revolution. It is overthrown by the rebels later though
  • District 2: The District closest in location and alliance to the Capitol. Since District 13 gained its independence, District 2 has been the center of Panem's weapon development and production. This District is also a source of many of Panem's Peacekeepers.
  • District 3: The District that produces electronics and technology. It is the home district of the tributes Beetee and Wiress.
  • District 8: A District that has been suffering from continuous bombing since its population revolted.
  • District 10: The livestock district.
  • District 11: The agricultural district, and home to the tribute Rue.
  • The Meadow: A peaceful area in District 12 where Katniss used to go to with her father.
  • The Seam: The area of District 12 where the poor (mostly coal-mining families) live.
  • Victor's Village: An upscale housing area in each district where the victors of previous Hunger Games and their families live.
  • Command: The high-tech meeting/war council room at District 13.
  • Collective: A huge room in District 13 that can easily hold a thousand people.
  • Special Defense: In District 13. A beehive of rooms full of computers, labs, research equipment, and testing ranges.
  • Remake Room: District 13's room for preparation and makeovers.
  • The Nut: The mountain stronghold that houses the heart of the Capitol's military.
Show all 16 settings

Organizations edit see section history

  • The rebels: Led by the rouge district 13, the rebel has outgrown its first expectation (by ending at an uprising) after Katniss escaped from the Arena. It's main objective is to overthrow the Capital and bring liberty to the people.
  • Capitol government: Led by President Snow, the Capitol government is what ultimately rules Panem. It imposes total domination over each and every district of Panem.
  • Peacekeepers: The Capitols soldiers, they exist in every District. Their main task is to keep the District in order and punish everyone who defies the Capitol.
  • Star Squad: Made up of Katniss, Gale, Peeta, Finnick, Boggs, two camera people, and other guards. Used to show battle on TV with Katniss and the "attractive" tributes in it.

First Sentence edit see section history

I stare down at my shoes, watching as a fine layer of ash settles on the worn leather.

Table of Contents edit see section history

Dedication
Part I: The Ashes
Chapters 1 - 9
Part II: The Assault
Chapters 10 - 18
Part III: The Assassin
Chapters 19 - 27
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the author

Glossary edit see section history

  • Mockingjay: A hybrid between a mockingbird and a jabberjay. These birds have limited ability to mimic human sounds and often sing the tunes of songs they overhear. After Katniss wore a mockingjay pin in the arena, the bird became the symbol of the rebellion.
  • Jabberjay: A muttation created by the Capitol that is capable of mimicking complete conversations. The Capitol created them to spy on the rebels and gain inside information. Soon the Districts realized what was happening and used the birds to feed the Capitol lies. The Capitol realized this and left the Jabberjay to die off. However, they mated with local mockingbird populations and the mockingjay species was born.
  • Muttation: Also abbreviated as "mutt." Mutant creatures created by the Capitol to be living weapons against the Districts.
  • Avox: A person who has committed a serious crime against the Capitol government who has had his or her tongue removed. Avoxes must then serve the rest of their lives as mute servants in the Capitol.
  • Propo: Slang for propaganda. These generally occur in the form a video clip aired on television.
  • Morphling: An addictive narcotic painkiller. People addicted to the drug are called "morphlings."
  • Beauty Base Zero: A cosmetic term for what a person would look like if they stepped out of bed looking flawless but natural. The first step in a makeover is usually to bring the individual to Beauty Base Zero.
  • Holo: A handheld device that projects a 3D holographic map, and can also be programmed as a powerful explosive.
  • Tracker Jacker: A mutated wasp whose poisoned sting causes terrifying hallucinations. Once a person has been stung by a tracker jacker, the entire nest will hunt the victim down until they kill him or her. Repeated stings eventually cause death.
  • Hijacking: The process of twisting a person's memories with Tracker Jacker venom. This causes the victim to be unable to differentiate between reality and fiction. It is considered a form of brainwashing.

Errata edit see section history

Page 229 said the wrong district.

Page 334 says "The two exchange a long look, and then Gale reaches into his breast pocket" insted of chest pocket.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 3 of 3 in The Hunger Games. (standard series)

Preceded by Catching Fire.

This book is in Rainy Day Books (Staff Picks for 2010). (community list)
This is book 8 of 19 in Popular Series. (community list)
This is book 36 of 195 in Shelfari Most Popular (December 2011). (authoritative list)
This is book 59 of 195 in Shelfari Most Popular (June 2011). (authoritative list)
This is book 125 of 194 in Shelfari Most Popular (December 2010). (authoritative list)
This is book 19 of 145 in Whitcoulls Top 100 (2011). (authoritative list)
This is book 5 of 216 in Whitcoulls Kids' Top 50 (2011). (authoritative list)
This is book 2 of 121 in Whitcoulls Top 100 (2012). (authoritative list)
This is book 6 of 10 in Publishers Weekly Bestselling Novels in 2012. (authoritative list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Suzanne Collins (Author)

Other Contributors:

  1. Elizabeth B. Parisi (Designer)
  2. Tim O'Brian (Artist)
  3. SCHOLASTIC INC. (Publisher)
  4. Carlo McCormick (Narrator)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Country: United States
Publication Date: August 24, 2010
ISBN: 0439023513
Page Count: 390

Awards edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

  • Library of Congress: PZ7.C6837
  • Dewey: Fiction

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

Lots of violence and blood. Mention of fictional drugs and brief mention of sex. Slavery.

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
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  • The Sky Inside
  • Uglies
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  • The Maze Runner
  • Gone
  • Lies
  • Hunger
  • Plague
  • Artemis Fowl
  • The Sea of Monsters
  • Inside Out
  • Outside In
  • The Last Olympian
  • The Fall (The Gods Slayers Trilogy)

Books with Additional Background Information edit see section history

   
  • The Hunger Games
  • Catching Fire
  • The Girl Who Was on Fire

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