Official Cover and Synopsis Revealed for 'Sunrise on the Reaping' - Haymitch Abernathy Takes Center Stage

Sunrise on The Reaping Book Cover Reveal Attention, tributes! The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here. Revealed this morning on the Today Show, the official cover of Sunrise on the Reaping is out, and it's everything we hoped for and more! The newest installment in Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games saga is set to hit bookshelves on March 18, 2025.

But wait, there's more! Alongside the stunning cover reveal, we've got the official book synopsis, confirmation of Haymitch Abernathy's point of view, and our first teaser quote from the man himself. Cue the screaming, crying, and throwing up!

Haymitch Abernathy's Story - Finally Told!

Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger GamesLongtime fans of the original trilogy will remember Haymitch Abernathy, District 12's sardonic mentor to Katniss and Peeta. He survived and won the 50th Hunger Games - the Second Quarter Quell - and now, he's stepping into the spotlight as the protagonist of this highly anticipated prequel. Scholastic confirmed in a press release that we'll finally delve into Haymitch's backstory.

Official Book Synopsis:

"Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

As the day dawns on the 50th annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who's nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town.

As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight... and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena."

First Teaser Quote from Haymitch:

Our first quote from Haymitch Abernathy in Sunrise on the ReapingAfter the cover reveal, the official Hunger Games social media accounts blessed us with the first teaser quote from the upcoming book:

"They will not use my tears for their entertainment."

Can we talk about how powerful this line is? It's giving us major chills and hints at the emotional rollercoaster we're about to embark on. Haymitch's defiance and resilience are already shining through, and we can't wait to see more of his inner thoughts and struggles.

The Haunting Tagline:

Adding more depth to the emotional landscape of the book, Scholastic released a chilling tagline that foreshadows Haymitch's upcoming journey:

"When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?"

First Look at the Cover Art:

We also got some intriguing insights into the cover art from Scholastic's press release:

Sunrise On The Reaping Book Cover

"The spiky sun rises on a symbol that will come to mean a lot to Haymitch Abernathy, as well as countless readers," said David Levithan, vice president, publisher, and editorial director for Scholastic.

"Artist Tim O’Brien has created yet another iconic Hunger Games cover—this one symbolically exploring one of the central themes of the series: how conflicting forces can be connected by their common nature, the songbird and the snake springing from the same source."

The cover features a radiant, spiky sun between two familiar symbols, hinting at the dualities and conflicts that will shape Haymitch's journey. It promises depth and symbolism—exactly what we've come to expect from the series.

The Cover Controversy:

While the fandom is buzzing with excitement over the synopsis, teaser quote, and Haymitch's confirmed role as protagonist, the cover itself has sparked some debate! Our Instagram poll shows a 75% positive vs. 25% negative reaction so far.

Some fans are absolutely loving the new design, praising its boldness and symbolic depth. Others are on the fence, hoping it will grow on them as more is revealed about the story and the meaning behind the imagery.

Let the Theories Begin!

We'll be diving deeper into a cover analysis and sharing all our thoughts on the synopsis, that heart-stopping tagline, and Haymitch's poignant quote in upcoming posts. But for now, we want to hear from you!

What are your initial thoughts on the cover?

How does Haymitch's teaser quote make you feel?

What emotions does the tagline evoke for you?

Are you excited to explore Haymitch's backstory?

What do you think the symbolism on the cover represents?

Drop your comments below or join the conversation on our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook pages. Let's get the discussion started!

Mark Your Calendars & Pre-Order Now!

Sunrise on the Reaping will be released on March 18, 2025. Secure your copy now by pre-ordering through the link below.

Pre-Order "Sunrise on the Reaping" HERE!

Everything We Know About the 50th Hunger Games: A Look at the 2nd Quarter Quell

The 50th Hunger Games/Second Quarter Quell - Let's Review!Get ready! Suzanne Collins' new book, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, is set to hit the shelves on March 18, 2025, with a film adaptation following on November 20, 2026. This installment takes us back to the 50th Hunger Games (the Second Quarter Quell), starting with the morning of the reaping. 

We have yet to uncover the secrets of the new book, so let's delve into everything we DO know about the 2nd Quarter Quell from the previous books! 

The Second Quarter Quell

A Quarter Quell is a special edition of the Hunger Games held every twenty-five years to mark the anniversary of the end of the First Rebellion. Each Quell introduces a twist in the reaping process, altering the selection of tributes in some way. 

In the Second Quarter Quell, as a reminder that two rebels died for every Capitol citizen, twice the number of regular tributes were sent into the Games for a total of 48.

The Reaping in District 12

In the book, an unnamed girl and boy were reaped along with Maysilee Donner, whose twin sister and a young Mrs. Everdeen were seen clinging to each other in the crowd. Haymitch Abernathy was the last tribute called. 

Did you know? Maysilee's twin grew up to be Madge Undersee's mother in Katniss's era. In the books, Madge was Katniss's school friend and was the one who gave her the Mockingjay pin (which originally belonged to her Aunt Maysilee!) before the 74th Hunger Games. So Katniss and Madge were friends, and Maysilee, Mrs. Undersee, and Mrs. Everdeen were friends growing up. The web of connections in the Hunger Games universe is truly fascinating. 

Caesar Flickerman: Rocking the blue suit since the 50th Hunger Games

Pre Games

By the 50th Games, Caesar Flickerman was the Hunger Games host, and he was wearing his famous twinkling midnight blue suit.

In his interview with Caesar Flickerman, Haymitch came across as snarky, arrogant, and indifferent. 

Caesar: "So, Haymitch, what do you think of the Games having one hundred percent more competitors than usual?"

Haymitch: "I don't see that it makes much difference. They'll still be one hundred percent as stupid as usual, so I figure my odds will be roughly the same."

Click to read more ...

NEW HUNGER GAMES BOOK and MOVIE On The Way! The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Lionsgate and Scholastic have just unveiled their plans for a new book and movie, The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The ReapingGET READY FOR A THRILLING NEW CHAPTER IN THE HUNGER GAMES SAGA! Lionsgate and Scholastic have just unveiled their plans for a new book and movie, The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping. Here's everything we know!

A new Hunger Games novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, will be released on March 18, 2025Suzanne Collins announced today that a new Hunger Games novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, will be released on March 18, 2025. 

The new book revolves around the 50th Hunger Games, revisiting Panem 24 years before the events of the original Hunger Games books/films and 40 years after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. It begins on reaping morning of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, and the Games won by Haymitch Abernathy.

"The question 'Real or not real?' seems more pressing to me every day."Collins shared her inspiration for Sunrise on the Reaping:

"I was inspired by David Hume's idea of implicit submission and, in his words, 'the easiness with which the many are governed by the few. The story also lent itself to a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative. The question 'Real or not real?' seems more pressing to me every day."

The film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping is already in the works.

The film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping is already in the works. Lionsgate announced today that it will be released on November 20, 2026! While the cast is yet to be confirmed, Francis Lawrence, the director of four previous Hunger Games films, is in talks to direct the screen adaptation for Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson's Color Force production company. We're hoping to see the dream team back in action!

Nina Jacobson and Francis Lawrence Suzanne Collins is thrilled about the new project. "From the beginning, Lionsgate has been a wonderful home and partner for the Hunger Games franchise, and I'm very excited to be collaborating with the team as we bring this next story to theaters in 2026," she said. 

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch and Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss in The Hunger Games (2012)

It feels like Lionsgate understands how much Haymitch's games mean to the fandom: "Suzanne Collins is a master storyteller and our creative north star," said Adam Fogelson, chairman of the studio's motion picture group. "We couldn't be more fortunate than to be guided and trusted by a collaborator whose talent and imagination are so consistently brilliant. The Second Quarter Quell is legendary and looms large over the history of the Games, even into the time of Katniss Everdeen a quarter-century later."

We'll keep you updated on all the news as we learn more!

Take advantage of the opportunity to be one of the first to read Sunrise on the Reaping. Preorder your copy HERE! 

New Stills From 'Mockingjay Part 1'

Thanks to our friends at QuarterQuell.org, we've got a look at some new still images from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. 

If you'd like to download the UHQ, massive-sized images, head over to QuarterQuell's GALLERY. 

'Mockingjay Part 1' Images from The Hunger Games Instagram - Day 6 - Haymitch and Effie

Hayffie shippers. do your happy dance - the Mockingjay Part 1 images revealed today on The Hunger Games instagram account are Haymitch and Effie. 

Woody Harrelson takes a stand against the Capitol as Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1.

Elizabeth Banks shows you the woman behind the couture as Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1.

Even Elizabeth Banks herself thinks Haymitch and Effie have a very special, secret relationship that isn't overtly touched on in the books or films. See one of the many examples of Liz talking about Hayffie HERE. 

Come back tomorrow for day 7 of the 8 days of new stills. And check out Days 1 - 5:

DAY 1 - Gale (Liam Hemsworth) and Cressida (Natalie Dormer)

DAY 2 - Beetee (Jeffrey Wright) and Caesar (Stanley Tucci)

DAY 3 Castor (Wes Chatham) and Pollux (Elden Henson)

DAY 4 Finnick (Sam Claflin) and Boggs (Mahershala Ali)

DAY 5 Plutarch (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Messalla (Evan Ross)

You can see all of the still images released from Mockingjay Part 1 in our Gallery. 

New 'Mockingjay Part 1' District 13 Citizen Posters

We're getting an earlier than expected look at six new Mockingjay Part 1 District 13 character posters. President Coin, Haymitch Abernathy, Beetee Latier, Effie Trinket, Plutarch Heavensbee and Finnick Odair are featured in their District 13 finest. And by finest we mean their drab grey uniforms. Looks like Effie is making the most of what she's been dealt in 13. You go, Effie. 

The posters debuted on various websites tonight after they were leaked a bit early online right after the District 13 mobile site launch. 

We assume this is the first wave of District 13 citizen posters and we're very excited to see Katniss in one of them, hopefully in the near future. Because District 13 is alive and well and so is the Mockingjay.

Woody Harrelson Talks 'Catching Fire' With Forbes

Woody Harrelson spoke with Forbes while promoting Out Of The Furnace, but he snuck in some choice tidbits about Catching Fire along the way. From Forbes:

Having The Hunger Games as this ongoing series of films in your career, what sort of itch does Out of the Furnace scratch in comparison to that?

I mean, I don’t really compare them. I mean, it’s just – I turned Hunger Games down, twice! I’m the only one that’s such a fool to turn that thing down, and it’s been the greatest single thing that I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of, not just for the huge success of it, but for those people who are involved in it. I mean, I love those guys, man. I mean, it is like a family. It is so tight, so fun, we all love hanging out with each other outside the set, and we’re just laughing all day long on the set. I can’t imagine anything more fun. And because of it I’ve got to meet a lot of people I never would have, like tweens, coming up and wanting an autograph. I’m like, they never would have come up to me! They never would have seen anything I’d done. So it was really – that’s a cool thing as well. But it’s not like I think, I’m not one of those guys who say, “I do these… so that I can do the smaller movies.” I don’t do anything like that. I just take things as they come, and the fact that they keep coming is shocking, but I’m certainly happy to be a part of it.

You have a great character to play in The Hunger Games, but you didn’t look at that and go, this is probably going to be pretty successful?

Oh yeah, but that wasn’t my motivator, you know. I’m talking about times that I, you know, decided to do something because specifically because this is going to do well. A bad, bad decision – that’s something I would caution any actor against. It’s much better to say I liked this script and I really liked this character and I liked the director. I liked the other actors – whatever. But to say, oh, this will be successful, and that’s why I want to do it, that’s not good. But yeah, Hunger Games, everybody thought the odds were pretty good that people would go see it, and thank God they were right.

UPDATE: Full Versions of The Latest 'Catching Fire' Stills From Hunger Games Explorer

Last week The Hunger Games Explorer gave us 20 new Catching Fire character stills. Today, our friends at QuarterQuell.org posted the full, uncropped, Hi-Res versions of the stills and we have them here for you. Also, be sure to check out the Catching Fire Movie page on The Hunger Games Explorer for movie posters, cast and crew bios and tons of pictures.

See the rest of the full size images in our Gallery (click each image to enlarge).