Archive for July, 2009
The Jacket Covers, What might they mean to the reader?
Catching Fire – on Fire!
I wanted to say Catching Fire Catches Fire. But Publisher’s Weekly already said that…
At BEA Friday, the ARCs were hard to come by, but I was lucky. I’m taking a break at the moment, a third of the way through this book which has, so far proved worth the buzz… YES, you gotta read this! (Yesterday!)
My purpose here, however, is to talk about the covers, not what’s between the them.
I loved the cover of Suzanne Collins‘ The Hunger Games (Scholastic 2008). It isn’t drastically different from the crowd, but it embraces a few of the conventions I’ve noted. Most particularly what I pointed out a couple of months ago in my post about what Liza Gilbert’s teens liked. “A real focal object, and a mysterious atmospheric quality. Mostly good type treatment… Good hooks.”
The Hunger Games: Focal object? CHECK. Mysterious atmospheric quality? You could say that. CHECK. Type treatment? Yeah – looks very futuristic. Probably a good hook. CHECK.
The way I interpret book #1’s jacket, which is to say, I think it fits the story (another CHECK), is this: There’s darkness in the land. Each circle marks one of the 12 districts (here linked, but with walls? blocking the links?). And there’s hope. A golden mockingjay pin marks the spot.
And here’s Catching Fire (Scholastic, 9/2009). Some brightness radiating out, with more light coming from District 12. No walls. The arrow has disappeared. Does that mean something?
And… what’s that? The mockingjay has come alive! Here’s another assessment of the symbols.
I love this cover, and I hope Scholastic sticks with this for the paperbacks (I beg you, Scholastic, do not put people on the paperback issues). I strongly dislike the UK (Australian?) Hunger Games cover. I’m not at all convinced that making the book look like 90% of the other books out there will hook readers. Here’s hoping that they stick with BUZZ and a great matching cover for the third book.
If you’re not as convinced as I am that this was a good choice, what do you think of the UK cover of Catching Fire? And do they really need Stephenie Meyer’s name to boost sales? (Caveat: Amazon UK shows the U.S. cover so I’m not sure this is what they’re really releasing?).
Don’t miss this article at Publisher’s Weekly that flashes Hunger Games book jackets from around the globe.
Hunger Games: In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss’s skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister’s place. (CIP) Ages 12+. Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Trailer. Videos of Collins talking about the Hunger Games.
Catching Fire: By winning the annual Hunger Games, District 12 tributes Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have secured a life of safety and plenty for themselves and their families, but because they won by defying the rules, they unwittingly become the faces of an impending rebellion. (CIP) Ages 12+. Reviews: 1, 2.
Another Great Review for Catching Fire (as if we didn’t know)
Catching Fire Advance Reader’s Copy and pin
I recently had the pleasure of falling into Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, which I may have enjoyed even more than The Hunger Games. I don’t want to spoiler either book (Hunger Games hasn’t even been out a year, and Catching Fire isn’t scheduled for release until September 1, 2009) so I am going to skip the summary, but trust me – you don’t want to miss this series.
Right from the start, this book was not what I was expecting. The title “Catching Fire” left me wondering (now that I’ve read the book, however, the title is so obviously perfect) and within a few chapters I realized the pacing was off for the plot that I had been expecting. It’s not easy to raise the stakes for characters after setting the standard in The Hunger Games, but Collins does it well.
Another surprising aspect for me was how it reflected a bit of the Iranian election protests going on right now. Obviously Collins couldn’t have intended that, but I think it’s a good indicator that The Hunger Games trilogy has literary staying power. Also, I can’t help but compare it to other fictitious works of awesome like The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (Here’s a video link for you in which Rebecca Leach explains and compares the Iranian protests and Little Brother, in case you’re interested in such things), The Pit Dragon Chronicles by Jane Yolen, and The Giver by Lois Lowry. Collins herself cites inspiration from reality shows and war coverage on TV, as well as the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur.
My favorite part of the book was the end (seriously, I’m not going to spoiler it, stop twitching). It was the most perfect ending for a middle book in a series. It was completely satisfying, but in a way that leaves you desperately needing to know what happens next.
Catching Fire is scheduled for release on September 1, 2009. Collins is also under contract for a third book which is tentatively scheduled for a 2010 release.
Jabberjays.com is a Hunger Games Fansite. We are not affiliated with Suzanne Collins, her publishers, LionsGate, or any of their affiliated companies.
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