The Hunger Games books in order
Last checked: September 24, 2026, against suzannecollinsbooks.com
The author's copy places Ballad at the 10th Games and Sunrise 24 years before The Hunger Games, so the story order is Ballad, Sunrise, then the trilogy.
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2008 · Book
Start hereFirst book in the main order, first published in 2008. Cover from Google Books -
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About this series: sourced facts
Each fact is shown with its source and the date it was checked.
The series at a glance
Wikidata lists a publication date of 2008 for the series.
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06The first book was published in September 2008.
Source: suzannecollinsbooks.com, checked 2026-11-06What the story is
In a future North America, the rulers of Panem keep control with a yearly televised survival contest between young people from the twelve districts.
Source: lccn.loc.gov, checked 2026-11-06Sixteen-year-old Katniss volunteers in place of her younger sister.
Source: lccn.loc.gov, checked 2026-11-06Wikidata lists the genre as young adult fiction, dystopian fiction and adventure fiction.
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Reading orders
The trilogy is The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay; the two prequels are The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Sunrise on the Reaping.
Source: suzannecollinsbooks.com, checked 2026-11-06How the series came to be
Collins says the idea came one night while she was flipping between reality TV and footage of the Iraq War.
Source: suzannecollinsbooks.com, checked 2026-11-06She links the story to the Greek myth of Theseus, in which young people were sent to Crete by lottery.
Source: suzannecollinsbooks.com, checked 2026-11-06About the author
Wikidata lists Suzanne Collins as born in 1962 in Hartford.
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Wikidata lists screenwriter among the occupations of Suzanne Collins.
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Wikidata lists Suzanne Collins as educated at Indiana University and New York University Tisch School of the Arts.
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06She began her career in 1991 writing for children's television, including shows for Nickelodeon.
Source: suzannecollinsbooks.com, checked 2026-11-06Wikidata lists an award for Suzanne Collins: Children's bookshop prize (2010).
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Wikidata lists an award for Suzanne Collins: Geffen Award (2021).
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Wikidata lists an award for Suzanne Collins: Q131311880 (2025).
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Wikidata lists an award for Suzanne Collins: Children's Book Award (UK).
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Beyond the books
Wikidata lists The Hunger Games (film series, 2012).
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Edition facts
An illustrated edition with art by Nico Delort began on October 1, 2024.
Source: suzannecollinsbooks.com, checked 2026-11-06Awards
Wikidata lists an award for The Hunger Games: Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (2010).
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Common questions
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