The Canon Database

64 years before the Hunger Games, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes reveals the origins of Coriolanus Snow well before his time in power.

• Release Date: May 19, 2020
• Content Type: Book
• Description: “It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute. The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute… and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.” (Scholastic)
• Suzanne Collins returns to the world of Panem for the first time since the 2015 release of the Mockingjay films. The book debuts a new heroine in Lucy Gray Baird, from a familiar location – District 12. A deeper look into the future of President Snow, his family, and his first encounter with the Hunger Games. Lionsgate is developing the book into a feature film for release in the Fall of 2023.
• Charts: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes debuted at #1 on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. It became the top-selling book across all categories for the first half of 2020 eventually selling more than 13 million copies.
• Reviews: 3.85 (out of 5) on Goodreads as well as positive reviews from critics.
• Purchase: Single Edition | Paperback Set | Hardcover Set