The Hunger Games: The Sunrise on the Reaping is on the way, and this latest book can finally answer some long-running mysteries. This novel from author Suzanne Collins will be set 24 years before the events of the first Hunger Games book, and will explore the 50th Hunger Games—the year Haymitch Abernathy was crowned victor. This event was discussed in some detail in the Catching Fire books, where Katniss and Peeta watched some recordings of Haymitch’s games. However, Sunrise on the Reaping can provide further, valuable perspective.

Haymitch was always private about his past and Hunger Games victory in The Hunger Games, so there is a lot about this that audiences don’t know. What little information Katniss and Peeta learned in Catching Fire only inspired further questions, most of which were never answered in the Hunger Games books. However, Collins’ other prequel novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, provided further context for President Snow’s story and retroactively answered old questions left by the central novels. It can be ᴀssumed that Sunrise on the Reaping will do the same.

10

What Exactly Happened To Haymitch’s Family?

Snow Had Them Killed, But There Must Be More To It

Haymitch lived alone in The Hunger Games and had no real connections to anyone until Katniss and Peeta came along. He eventually told the two young victors that President Snow had ordered Haymitch’s family and girlfriend killed before he even returned to District 12. This was meant as a punishment for the specific way that Haymitch won the 50th Hunger Games.

The strange thing about all this is that no one in District 12 ever mentioned anything about the Abernathys being killed. Their deaths would surely be a cautionary tale among the citizens, since it would have demonstrated to them the dangers of tributes acting out while in the arena. Perhaps Snow made it look as if Hatymitch’s family had died in an accident of sorts. Regardless, Sunrise on the Reaping is guaranteed to have the answers.

9

Did Haymitch Know Katniss’ Parents?

Katniss’ Parents Were Haymitch’s Age

Some other characters that will almost certainly be included in Sunrise on the Reaping are Katniss’ parents. Catching Fire revealed that Katniss’ mother had been best friends with one of District 12’s female tributes, Maysilee Donner. We also know that Katniss’ father would have been living in the Seam along with Haymitch during this point in the story. Would this all mean that Haymitch knew both Katniss’ parents?

It’s interesting to think that Katniss’ being reaped for the 74th Hunger Games would have stood out to Haymitch since he might have known her parents. Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes included some twists of this sort, including the reveal that Tigris was actually President Snow’s own cousin. Sunrise on the Reaping could reveal some deeper connection between Haymitch and Katniss’ father.

8

Who Was The Head Gamemaker For Haymitch’s Games?

This May Be A New (Or Familiar) Character

Head Gamemakers have served important roles within the story of The Hunger Games. Katniss’ first games were organized by Seneca Crane, who was executed following the District 12 victory. From there, Plutarch Heavensbee took over, and he turned out to be a secret rebel. In Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the horrible Dr. Volumnia Gaul was Head Gamemaker, and she eventually became President Snow’s mentor. So, who will be in charge in Sunrise on the Reaping?

Catching Fire revealed that the arena for the 50th Hunger Games was a masterpiece of horrible beauty. However, it’s never mentioned who was responsible for putting it together. There may be hints in Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and The Hunger Games that President Snow himself served as Head Gamemaker for the Second Quarter Quell, since the poisonous arena is right up his alley. However, only Sunrise on the Reaping can say for certain.

7

Who Was Haymitch’s Mentor During His Hunger Games?

How Would The Capitol Handle This Problem?

Hunger Games tributes are always mentored by a previous victor from their District in The Hunger Games. This is complicated in Haymitch’s case, since there was only one District 12 victor before him—Lucy Gray Baird. Of course, her name had been forgotten, and her fate after Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes remains a mystery. So, who stood in to mentor Haymitch and the other three District 12 tributes?

There are a handful of possibilities here. It could fall to a prominent figure in District 12, such as the mayor, to mentor tributes without living victors. Since Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes saw Capitol teenagers mentor District tributes, this too could be the answer. One way or another, Haymitch’s mentor is guaranteed to be important to his overall story.

6

What Is The Origin Of Katniss’ Mockingjay Pin?

We Will Meet The Pin’s Original Owner

In the Hunger Games book, Katniss’ friend Madge Undersee gave her the gold Mockingjay pin before she left District 12 for the Capitol. It wasn’t until Catching Fire, however, that Katniss learned that the pin had initially belonged to Madge’s aunt, Maysilee Donner. Maysilee died during the 50th Hunger Games, and the small Mockingjay pin had served as her token.

It’s never revealed in the Hunger Games books where the Mockingjay pin came from before Maysilee wore it in the games. It’s never even explicitly stated why Madge gave the trinket to Katniss to begin with. It’s possible this pin was a symbol of something long before Katniss became the figurehead of the rebel movement. If this is true, then Sunrise on the Reaping is sure to reveal all.

5

What Was Haymitch Like Before The 50th Hunger Games?

Haymitch Wasn’t Always The Man He Was In The Hunger Games

During Katniss’ story in The Hunger Games, Haymitch was a rage-filled alcoholic suffering from debilitating PTSD. There were some signs of a charming man hidden beneath all this, but it was always evident that Haymitch’s time in the arena and the tragedies that followed took a significant toll. While life in District 12 would never have been easy, it will be interesting to see what Haymitch was like before he was reaped.

Katniss watched interviews with Haymitch leading up to his games, and he was charming, aloof, and effortlessly funny. However, it’s difficult to say if this is truly who Haymitch had been or whether he was putting on a show for the Capitol audiences. Who was the teenage Haymitch while off camera?

4

Was Katniss’ Father Covey?

Katniss’ Father Has Remained Key In Every Hunger Games Book

Katniss’ father has remained a mysterious and subtly important character throughout the Hunger Games books. It was from him that Katniss learned how to forage and hunt, but Mr. Everdeen also introduced those early lessons about rebellion. He was a talented singer who knew a wide range of songs which his daughters learned. He also knew many secrets about District 12 that no other citizens seemed to know.

Mr. Everdeen’s role in The Hunger Games became even more interesting in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Though he was never mentioned (this is long before he was born), Lucy Gray Braird was seen to have a lot in common with the man. She could survive off wild plants and vegetation, knew the same songs as Mr. Everdeen, and knew about the secret lake in the woods. It’s implied that Mr. Everdeen was descended from the Covey, but it will be up to Sunrise on the Reaping to confirm.

3

Who Were The Other 2 District 12 Tributes?

District 12 Had 4 Tributes In The 50th Hunger Games

We know of two District 12 tributes reaped for the 50th Hunger Games—Haymitch Abernathy and Maysilee Donner. However, like the Third Quarter Quell in Catching Fire, the rules were changed for Haymitch’s games. Twice as many tributes entered the arena, so two boys and two girls were reaped from each District.

Catching Fire revealed essentially nothing about the additional boy and girl tribute from District 12, but Sunrise on the Reaping will have to dive into their characters a bit further. Haymitch will have to get to know them at least a little bit as they stay in the Tribute Center together for two weeks.

2

When Did Haymitch Learn About District 13?

Haymitch May Have Joined The Rebellion Early On

In Mockingjay, it’s revealed that Haymitch was savvy about an ongoing rebel plot orchestrated by District 13. He wasn’t the only one, of course. It’s implied that District 13 had been getting Capitol citizens and Hunger Games victors on their side for years, slowly building a more substantial resistance. Precisely when this started is unclear.

Sunrise on the Reaping may be able to shed some light on just how long Haymitch was involved with the rebels. Perhaps he was approached by someone in league with District 13 soon after his victory. Or, it was during one of the 24 years he was dragged to the Capitol to act as mentor for more doomed District 12 tributes.

1

What Is The Full Reason That President Snow Punished Haymitch?

There Was Something Personal Here

Haymitch won the 50th Hunger Games, but it’s implied that this was never part of the Capitol’s plan. He only beat his final compeтιтor because he took advantage of the arena’s force field barrier, which sent a weapon back at the girl’s head. President Snow was enraged by this and killed Haymitch’s entire family as punishment.

Though Katniss ᴀssumed President Snow punished Haymitch for taking advantage of the arena, this doesn’t sound like the whole story. Snow gave up control over his latest tribute by killing every single person that Haymitch loved. This was a mistake on his part, since he had no leverage over Haymitch over the following years. Something happened to make Snow so angry that he lost all sense of logic and acted impulsively. Sunrise on the Reaping will have to explain precisely what.