Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.
Sunrise on the Reaping has officially made its debut, and Haymitch’s Hunger Games prequel takes readers on a wild ride through the second Quarter Quell. Thanks to Catching Fire, readers have an idea of how Haymitch’s time in the arena ends. However, Suzanne Collins’ 2025 Hunger Games book reveals there’s more to his backstory than Katniss and the rest of District 12 know. This ensures there are plenty of surprises scattered throughout Haymitch’s story, even though we have a general idea of how he wins the 50th Hunger Games tournament.
Collins also includes a number of familiar faces, as well as heavy references to the original Hunger Games books and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This ensures that Haymitch’s backstory feels connected to the greater story, and it keeps things interesting for longtime fans. Some of the biggest developments from the new prequel involve such nods, though there are other new characters and developments that leave an impression as well.
15
Haymitch Was Friends With Katniss Everdeen’s Parents
The Hunger Games Prequel Reveals Their Names
The names and backgrounds of Katniss Everdeen’s parents have been a mystery since the first Hunger Games book, but Sunrise on the Reaping finally offers answers. The prequel reveals that Haymitch was once friends with Katniss’ father, Burdock, and that he also knew her mother, Asterid. Both Burdock and Asterid make multiple appearances throughout the novel, with the latter showing her healing skills at a young age. Haymitch even comments on their feelings for one another, and the prequel’s epilogue mentions Burdock showing off Katniss when she was young.
14
Lenore Dove Is Related To Lucy Gray & Katniss Everdeen
Sunrise On The Reaping Confirmed A Popular Covey Theory
Once Lenore Dove’s name surfaced in Sunrise on the Reaping‘s excerpt, readers picked up on the fact that she was a member of the Covey. And the Hunger Games prequel confirms that she’s related to both Lucy Gray and Katniss Everdeen, seemingly confirming the popular theory that Katniss and Lucy Gray are related as well. Haymitch notes that Lenore is a Baird, and he also states that she’s not “one of Burdock’s Everdeen cousins, but I knew he had some distant ones on his mom’s side.” This means all three of these Hunger Games heroines are connected, if distantly.
13
Haymitch Wasn’t Actually Reaped For The 50th Hunger Games
Bad Luck & Timing Got Him Pulled Into The Second Quarter Quell
One of the most surprising revelations from Sunrise on the Reaping is that Haymitch doesn’t actually get reaped for the 50th Hunger Games. Wyatt Callow and Woodbine Chance are initially the male tributes called for the second Quarter Quell, but the latter is sH๏τ and killed when he makes a run for it. Because Lenore Dove and Haymitch attempt to defend their people from the Peacekeepers, Haymitch is picked to replace Woodbine. It’s an interesting detail that gives him yet another thing in common with Katniss Everdeen.
12
Katniss Everdeen’s Mockingjay Pin Has Covey Origins
Tam Amber Made It For The Donners
With Katniss receiving her Mockingjay pin from Maysilee Donner’s niece, Madge, it was inevitable that Sunrise on the Reaping would at least mention the item. And the Hunger Games prequel reveals that it has a Covey origin, as the Donners get the pin from Tam Amber. This gives Katniss yet another connection to the Covey, and it fits with the group’s interest in birds, and specifically, Mockingjays. Maysilee may not wear the token into the arena, but she’s able to shed more light on its backstory.
11
Haymitch Intended To Break The Arena During His Hunger Games
There Was More To The Forcefield Incident & Capitol’s Retaliation
When Katniss describes Haymitch’s Hunger Games win, it sounds as though he merely used quick thinking to save himself from being killed. This may leave readers wondering why the Capitol punishes him so harshly. But Sunrise on the Reaping reveals that Haymitch has a rebellious streak, as he makes multiple statements against Snow and the Capitol throughout the book. He also goes into the arena planning to break it, with Beetee and Plutarch both pushing him in that direction. This explains why Snow retaliates against Haymitch so severely.
10
Plutarch & The Other Catching Fire Tributes Were Planning A Rebellion Long Before Katniss
The 50th Hunger Games Gives Them Their First SH๏τ At Breaking The Arena
Several familiar characters show up in Sunrise on the Reaping, including Plutarch Heavensbee, Beetee, Wiress, and Mags. All of them seem to have ulterior motives for being involved in the Games. Plutarch is working an agenda from the camera crew, Mags and Wiress help the tributes they’re mentoring sneak things in, and Beetee is there because he already struck out against the Capitol and failed. All of these characters are thinking about rebellion long before Katniss Everdeen, and Sunrise on the Reaping sets the stage for their team-up in Catching Fire.
9
Mags & Wiress Are District 12’s Mentors In Sunrise On The Reaping
Haymitch’s Games Are Likely Responsible For Their States In Catching Fire
Since Lucy Gray’s whereabouts are unknown in Sunrise on the Reaping, Wiress and Mags are charged with mentoring the Quarter Quell’s four District 12 tributes. They offer friendly faces and genuine support, which is a nice change of pace, given the characters from the Capitol are so hard on the tributes. And since Mags and Wiress help Haymitch, they’re punished alongside him. It’s implied that they’re tortured, which might explain why Mags doesn’t speak in Catching Fire and Wiress seems more neurotic during the third Quarter Quell.
8
Beetee’s Son Was Reaped & Killed During The 50th Hunger Games To Punish Him
Ampert Gives Beetee One Of The Most Tragic Backstories
Of all the returning Hunger Games characters, Beetee gets the most tragic backstory in Sunrise on the Reaping. Beetee’s son, Ampert, is a tribute alongside Haymitch; Snow sends the boy into the arena as punishment for Beetee messing with the Capitol’s communication channels. Beetee being forced to mentor his own son is heartbreaking enough, but Ampert also suffers one of the most gruesome deaths in Sunrise on the Reaping. He’s devoured by mutts, though he does go out trying to break the arena alongside Haymitch.
7
Haymitch & Effie Knew Each Other Before She Became District 12’s Escort
Effie Fills In For District 12’s True Stylist
Effie is another Hunger Games character who makes an appearance in Sunrise on the Reaping, with the book confirming that she and Haymitch knew each other before she became District 12’s escort. With District 12’s actual designer being too absent and incompetent to prepare them for events, Effie is called in as backup. Sunrise on the Reaping portrays her as one of the nicer Capitol citizens, even if she ignorantly believes that the Hunger Games are for the “greater good.” She and Haymitch have a few touching interactions that set up their later friendship.
6
Louella Dies Before The 50th Hunger Games Even Begin
President Snow Replaces Her With Another Tormented Child
Of the three other District 12 tributes Haymitch accompanies to the Capitol, he’s closest with Louella, a younger girl he vows to protect while in the arena. However, in a shocking twist, Louella doesn’t actually make it to the Games. She’s killed in an accident during the tribute parade through the Capitol, marking Haymitch’s first major loss in the Hunger Games prequel. To make matters worse, President Snow replaces her with a lookalike who is eerily trained to perform, follow orders, and spy — though she seems to be a deeply traumatized child from District 11 at her core.
5
Haymitch & Maysilee Donner Become Close Before She Dies In The Hunger Games
The “Mean Girl” From District 12 Turns Out To Be Much More
Haymitch departs for the Capitol with a deep disdain for “mean girl” Maysilee Donner, but he quickly realizes that there’s more to his fellow District 12 tribute than meets the eye. Although Maysilee knows how to pack a verbal punch, she proves a loyal and brave ally in the Games. After the volcano explodes, leaving few tributes left in the arena, Haymitch and Maysilee wind up teaming up together. The two form a sibling-like bond, and Haymitch promises her that he’ll continue pushing back against the Capitol’s wants and demands just before she dies.
4
The Capitol Changed The Footage & Narrative Surrounding The Second Quarter Quell
The Video Footage Ommitted The Tributes’ Defiance And Unity Against The Capitol
The reason Katniss gives such a watered-down version of Haymitch’s Games in Catching Fire is explained in Sunrise on the Reaping. When Haymitch sees the recap of the 50th Hunger Games tournament, he realizes the video footage has been tampered with. Fitting with the book’s commentary on propaganda, the Capitol removes many of the tributes’ acts of defiance throughout the Quarter Quell. They also omit the fact that the non-Career districts put on a united front, successfully moving the narrative surrounding Haymitch’s Games away from rebellion.
3
Haymitch’s Mother & Brother Were Killed In A Fire The Day He Came Home
Sunrise On The Reaping Reveals How Snow Kills Them
The original Hunger Games trilogy tells us that Haymitch’s mother and brother are killed by Snow, an act of retaliation for his stunts throughout the Quarter Quell. However, the first three books don’t get into how Snow goes about killing Haymitch’s loved ones. Sunrise on the Reaping reveals that Ma and Sid perish in a fire on the same day that Haymitch returns to District 12. While the tragedy is considered an accident, Snow’s comment about Haymitch’s homecoming hints that he’s behind it.
2
Lenore Dove Was Poisoned By President Snow
The Hunger Games Villain Uses Haymitch’s Gifts Against Her
Sunrise on the Reaping makes a point of telling us that Haymitch buys gumdrops for Lenore Dove, and he even leaves a bag with Sid after he’s chosen for the Games. President Snow takes advantage of this at the end of Sunrise on the Reaping, placing a bag of the candies outside her house. She believes they’re from Haymitch, and so does he — at least until Haymitch notices their red coloring. Snow uses Haymitch’s gift of choice to poison Lenore Dove, and the most tragic part of the whole thing is that Haymitch feeds her the two gumdrops that kill her.
1
Haymitch Tells Katniss & Peeta His Story In Sunrise On The Reaping’s Epilogue
It’s A Touching Way To End The Hunger Games Prequel
Sunrise on the Reaping‘s ending is devastating, but its epilogue offers some hope after Haymitch’s brutal backstory. The Hunger Games prequel’s final pages pick up with Haymitch living in District 12 with his new “family“: Katniss and Peeta. Haymitch admits to finally letting them in, and he even tells them his full story. It’s a touching addition to the book, especially as the trio from District 12 puts together a memorial book — and Katniss brings Haymitch goose eggs to honor Lenore’s memory.
Sunrise on the Reaping
- Publisher(s)
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Scholastic Press
- Genre
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Sci-Fi, Dystopia, Young Adult, Fantasy, Adventure
- Number of Pages
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400
- Franchise
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The Hunger Games
- ISBN#
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9781546171461
- Author(s)
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Suzanne Collins
