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[[File:Ballad of Songbirds Spanish Edition.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Spanish edition, ''Balada de Pájaros Cantores y Serpientes'']]
 
[[File:Ballad of Songbirds Spanish Edition.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Spanish edition, ''Balada de Pájaros Cantores y Serpientes'']]
 
[[File:Ballad of Songbirds Barnes Exclusive.jpg|thumb|150px|Barnes and Noble exclusive edition]]
 
[[File:Ballad of Songbirds Barnes Exclusive.jpg|thumb|150px|Barnes and Noble exclusive edition]]
Scholastic has announced a world record first printing of 2.5 million copies for the book.<ref name="Extract">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/22/extract-from-hunger-games-prequel-sparks-anger-among-fans|title=Extract from Hunger Games prequel sparks anger among fans|first=Allison|last=Flood|date=January 22, 2020|accessdate=January 26, 2020|publisher=The Guardian}}</ref> Barnes and Noble will release an exclusive edition of the title featuring a reader's group guide, as well as a Q&A with author Suzanne Collins and editor David Levithan.<ref name="Barnes">{{Cite web|url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-suzanne-collins/1133952083?ean=9781338674453#/|title=Barnes and Noble - ''The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'' exclusive edition|accessdate=January 31, 2020}}</ref> Walmart is also planning a release of an exclusive edition of the title which will come with a collectible bookmark.<ref name="Walmart">{{Cite web|url=https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Ballad-of-Songbirds-and-Snakes-Walmart-Exclusive-Edition/494644356|title=Walmart - ''The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'' exclusive edition|accessdate=February 2, 2020}}</ref> The title has also been announced for release as an audiobook.<ref name="Audiobook">{{Cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/audio-books/article/82291-spring-2020-announcements-audio-books.html|title=Spring 2020 Announcements: Audio Books|first=Shannon|last=Maughan|date=January 31, 2020|accessdate=February 16, 2020|publisher=Publisher's Weekly}}</ref> The audiobook will be narrated by [[Santino Fontana]], a Tony award-winning actor of stage and screen, who has previously narrated titles such as Stephen King's ''The Institute'', for which he won he won the 2020 Audie award for Best Thriller/Suspense title.<ref name="Audiobook Narrator">{{Cite web|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/tony-winner-santino-fontana-will-narrate-audio-edition-of-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-hunger-games-prequel|title=Tony Winner Santino Fontana Will Narrate Audio Edition of ''The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'', ''Hunger Games'' Prequel|first=Andrew|last=Gans|date=April 8, 2020|accessdate=April 8, 2020|publisher=Playbill}}</ref> This version of the title will also be released as a pre-loaded digital audio player, a format intended mainly to be purchased by libraries for patrons to check out and play without the need for any additional equipment.<ref name="Preloaded">{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Ballad-Songbirds-Snakes-Suzanne-Collins/dp/1094290513|title=''The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'' Preloaded Digital Audio Player|accessdate=April 14, 2020|publisher=Amazon}}</ref> As of October 2019, translation rights for the title had been sold in 28 territories.<ref name="Scholastic Announces" /> In a call regarding Scholastic quarterly results, Scholastic CEO Dick Robinson was asked about the possibility of the publication date of ''The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'' being changed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. He stated that Scholastic is reviewing its options, but that currently they strongly feel that they wish to hold on to the May 19 publishing date.<ref name="Coronavirus">{{Cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/82787-as-coronavirus-spreads-publishers-struggle-with-when-and-how-to-move-pub-dates.html|title=As Coronavirus Spreads, Publishers Struggle with When, and How, to Move Pub Dates|first=Rachel|last=Deahl|date=March 24, 2020|accessdate=March 29, 2020|publisher=Publisher's Weekly}}</ref> Scholastic has warned that they expect sales of the title to be lower than what they anticipated when they first announced it due to the outbreak.<ref name="Virtual Promotion">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2020/05/14/promotion-hunger-games-prequel-the-ballad-songbirds-will-be-virtual/5191365002/|title=Promotion for 'Hunger Games' prequel, 'The Ballad of Songbirds,' will be virtual|first=Hillel|last=Italie|date=May 14, 2020|accessdate=May 14, 2020|publisher=USA Today}}</ref> On April 23, 2020, a clip was released of author Suzanne Collins reading a bit less than two minutes of the opening of the book. The scene features Coriolanus Snow fretting about the upcoming [[The Reaping|Reaping]] for the 10th Hunger Games, eating cabbage to prevent his stomach from growling and worrying over the shirt that he will wear to the event. [[Tigris]] is revealed as a cousin of Snow who is aiding him with his wardrobe.<ref name="Exclusive Extract">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/audio/2020/apr/23/hunger-games-prequel-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-suzanne-collins-audio|title=Hunger Games prequel: exclusive extract from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - audio|date=April 23, 2020|accesdate=April 23, 2020|publisher=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="Comic Book.com Excerpt">{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/hunger-games-prequel-preview-songbirds-and-snakes/|title=The Hunger Games Creator Reveals Preview for Her New Spinoff (text version)|first=Charlie|last=Ridgely|date=April 24, 2020|accessdate=April 24, 2020|publisher=Comicbook.com}}</ref> With stores unable to hold live events due to the ongoing pandemic, Barnes & Noble has announced a virtual book club on May 29th at 7 P.M. on its Instagram channel.<ref name="Virtual Book Club">{{Cite web|url=https://redtri.com/barnes-noble-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-hunger-games-virtual-event/|title=Attend a Virtual Book Club Event for “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”|first=Jennifer|last=Swartvagher|date=April 27, 2020|accessdate=April 27, 2020|publisher=Red Tricycle}}</ref> On May 12, 2020, Scholastic Audio released an excerpt of the first 11 minutes of the audiobook edition of the title as read by Santino Fontana.<ref name="Audiobook Excerpt">{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/books/hunger-games-prequel-audiobook-excerpt/|title=''Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'': Listen to the first 11 minutes of the Hunger Games prequel|first=David|last=Canfield|date=May 12, 2020|accessdate=May 12, 2020}}</ref>
+
Scholastic has announced a world record first printing of 2.5 million copies for the book.<ref name="Extract">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/22/extract-from-hunger-games-prequel-sparks-anger-among-fans|title=Extract from Hunger Games prequel sparks anger among fans|first=Allison|last=Flood|date=January 22, 2020|accessdate=January 26, 2020|publisher=The Guardian}}</ref> Barnes and Noble will release an exclusive edition of the title featuring a reader's group guide, as well as a Q&A with author Suzanne Collins and editor David Levithan.<ref name="Barnes">{{Cite web|url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-suzanne-collins/1133952083?ean=9781338674453#/|title=Barnes and Noble - ''The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'' exclusive edition|accessdate=January 31, 2020}}</ref> Walmart is also planning a release of an exclusive edition of the title which will come with a collectible bookmark.<ref name="Walmart">{{Cite web|url=https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Ballad-of-Songbirds-and-Snakes-Walmart-Exclusive-Edition/494644356|title=Walmart - ''The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'' exclusive edition|accessdate=February 2, 2020}}</ref> The title has also been announced for release as an audiobook.<ref name="Audiobook">{{Cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/audio-books/article/82291-spring-2020-announcements-audio-books.html|title=Spring 2020 Announcements: Audio Books|first=Shannon|last=Maughan|date=January 31, 2020|accessdate=February 16, 2020|publisher=Publisher's Weekly}}</ref> The audiobook will be narrated by [[Santino Fontana]], a Tony award-winning actor of stage and screen, who has previously narrated titles such as Stephen King's ''The Institute'', for which he won he won the 2020 Audie award for Best Thriller/Suspense title.<ref name="Audiobook Narrator">{{Cite web|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/tony-winner-santino-fontana-will-narrate-audio-edition-of-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-hunger-games-prequel|title=Tony Winner Santino Fontana Will Narrate Audio Edition of ''The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'', ''Hunger Games'' Prequel|first=Andrew|last=Gans|date=April 8, 2020|accessdate=April 8, 2020|publisher=Playbill}}</ref> This version of the title will also be released as a pre-loaded digital audio player, a format intended mainly to be purchased by libraries for patrons to check out and play without the need for any additional equipment.<ref name="Preloaded">{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Ballad-Songbirds-Snakes-Suzanne-Collins/dp/1094290513|title=''The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'' Preloaded Digital Audio Player|accessdate=April 14, 2020|publisher=Amazon}}</ref> As of October 2019, translation rights for the title had been sold in 28 territories.<ref name="Scholastic Announces" /> In a call regarding Scholastic quarterly results, Scholastic CEO Dick Robinson was asked about the possibility of the publication date of ''The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'' being changed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. He stated that Scholastic is reviewing its options, but that currently they strongly feel that they wish to hold on to the May 19 publishing date.<ref name="Coronavirus">{{Cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/82787-as-coronavirus-spreads-publishers-struggle-with-when-and-how-to-move-pub-dates.html|title=As Coronavirus Spreads, Publishers Struggle with When, and How, to Move Pub Dates|first=Rachel|last=Deahl|date=March 24, 2020|accessdate=March 29, 2020|publisher=Publisher's Weekly}}</ref> Scholastic has warned that they expect sales of the title to be lower than what they anticipated when they first announced it due to the outbreak.<ref name="Virtual Promotion">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2020/05/14/promotion-hunger-games-prequel-the-ballad-songbirds-will-be-virtual/5191365002/|title=Promotion for 'Hunger Games' prequel, 'The Ballad of Songbirds,' will be virtual|first=Hillel|last=Italie|date=May 14, 2020|accessdate=May 14, 2020|publisher=USA Today}}</ref>
  +
  +
On April 23, 2020, a clip was released of author Suzanne Collins reading a bit less than two minutes of the opening of the book. The scene features Coriolanus Snow fretting about the upcoming [[The Reaping|Reaping]] for the 10th Hunger Games, eating cabbage to prevent his stomach from growling and worrying over the shirt that he will wear to the event. [[Tigris]] is revealed as a cousin of Snow who is aiding him with his wardrobe.<ref name="Exclusive Extract">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/audio/2020/apr/23/hunger-games-prequel-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-suzanne-collins-audio|title=Hunger Games prequel: exclusive extract from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - audio|date=April 23, 2020|accesdate=April 23, 2020|publisher=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="Comic Book.com Excerpt">{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/hunger-games-prequel-preview-songbirds-and-snakes/|title=The Hunger Games Creator Reveals Preview for Her New Spinoff (text version)|first=Charlie|last=Ridgely|date=April 24, 2020|accessdate=April 24, 2020|publisher=Comicbook.com}}</ref> With stores unable to hold live events due to the ongoing pandemic, Barnes & Noble has announced a virtual book club on May 29th at 7 P.M. on its Instagram channel.<ref name="Virtual Book Club">{{Cite web|url=https://redtri.com/barnes-noble-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-hunger-games-virtual-event/|title=Attend a Virtual Book Club Event for “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”|first=Jennifer|last=Swartvagher|date=April 27, 2020|accessdate=April 27, 2020|publisher=Red Tricycle}}</ref> On May 12, 2020, Scholastic Audio released an excerpt of the first 11 minutes of the audiobook edition of the title as read by Santino Fontana.<ref name="Audiobook Excerpt">{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/books/hunger-games-prequel-audiobook-excerpt/|title=''Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'': Listen to the first 11 minutes of the Hunger Games prequel|first=David|last=Canfield|date=May 12, 2020|accessdate=May 12, 2020}}</ref> At 12:01 A.M. on the day of the book's release, Suzanne Collins will give a special reading of the title, revealing the answer to the question "Who is the girl from District 12?"<ref name="Special Reading">{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/songbirdssnakes/status/1262337134792450050|title=Almost there! Tune in at 12:01am EST...|date=May 18, 2020|accessdate=May 18, 2020|publisher=The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Twitter}}</ref>
   
 
==Reception==
 
==Reception==

Revision as of 20:04, 18 May 2020


The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel book to The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. It is the prequel to the 2008 bestseller The Hunger Games, centering on the events that occurred 64 years prior to the trilogy.

The book was announced on June 16, 2019 by Scholastic Press. The author Suzanne Collins said in a statement that she would go back to the years following the so-called "Dark Days," the failed rebellion in Panem. Scholastic spokeswoman Tracy van Straaten declined comment on the new book's contents or featured characters beyond what's described in the first official announcement.[2]

The cover art and title was announced by Scholastic at New York Comic Con on October 4, 2019. The cover art for the novel was designed by Tim O'Brien. 

The main character was revealed to be a young Coriolanus Snow on January 21, 2020, along with an excerpt from the novel.[3]

Premise

Senate Ballad

The book's cover projected onto the Senate House in London

The novel will be set in the world of Panem 64 years before the events of the original Hunger Games trilogy on the morning of the reaping of the 10th Hunger Games—well before the lifetime of the story’s protagonists Katniss Everdeen. The reconstruction period 10 years after the war, commonly referred to as the Dark Days — as the country of Panem struggles back to its feet — provides fertile ground for characters to grapple with these questions and thereby define their views of humanity.

Synopsis

The_Ballad_of_Songbirds_and_Snakes_Official_Trailer

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Official Trailer

Ambition will fuel him.
Competition will drive him.
But power has its price.

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.[1]

Characters

  • Coriolanus Snow - One of the 24 mentors assigned by the "Academy" for the 10th Hunger Games. He will mentor the District 12 female tribute. He will also be the future President of Panem.
  • Casca Highbottom - The dean of the "Academy" and credited for creating the Games.
  • Livia Cardew - The mentor for the District 1 male tribute. Her mother is known to run the largest bank in the Capitol.
  • Sejanus Plinth - The mentor for the District 2 male tribute.
  • Clemensia Dovecote - The mentor for the District 11 male tribute. She was the daughter of the Capitol's energy secretary.
  • Tigris - Snow's cousin.
  • Febricia Whatnot - Tigris's boss. She actually used Tigris more as slave labor, requiring her to give her foot massages and do her cleaning. (Spelling unconfirmed, name heard on excerpt from audiobook release)
  • Satyria Click - Coriolanus Snow's communications professor at the Academy.
  • District 12 female - The mentee of Coriolanus Snow. The tribute that had the lowest training scores.
  • President Snow's Grandmother - the grandmother of Coriolanus Snow. She sings the Capitol anthem "Gem of Panem." She doted on Coriolanus and often spoke of the Snow family grandeur. For his part, Coriolanus loved her, but felt she had lost touch with reality a long time ago.

Film adaptation

Lionsgate has reportedly begun working on a “Hunger Games” prequel movie, based on The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

"As the proud home of the ‘Hunger Games’ movies, we can hardly wait for Suzanne’s next book to be published. We’ve been communicating with her during the writing process and we look forward to continuing to work closely with her on the movie."
—Joe Drake, chairman of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.[4]

On April 21, 2020, the film release was announced being officially in development. The film is slated to be directed by Francis Lawrence, director of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire as well as both The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2. Nina Jacobson returns as a producer for the film alongside author Suzanne Collins. The film's writer is Michael Arndt, one of two writers of Catching Fire. Regarding the announcement, chairman Joe Drake stated "Suzanne’s new book has been worth the wait. It offers everything fans could hope for and expect from The Hunger Games while also breaking new ground and introducing an entirely new canvas of characters. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is creatively thrilling and takes this world to complex new dimensions that open up amazing cinematic possibilities. We’re thrilled to reunite this filmmaking team with this very unique franchise, and we can’t wait to begin production."[5]

Merchandise

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Journal

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Journal

In association with the book's release, Scholastic is also releasing The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Journal on the same day as the book itself. The journal will be adorned with mockingjays from all four titles in the series and will feature 192 lined pages, an exclusive Hunger Games design, and a ribbon placeholder.[6]

Development

Regarding the new title, Scholastic publisher and editorial director David Levithan stated "Over a decade ago, Panem provided a very useful lens through which to see our own world, and I think applies as well in 2020, where questions of power and moral choice are as prevalent as ever. It’s also fascinating to revisit a place you feel you know, but 64 years earlier." Author Suzanne Collins stated that "With this book, I wanted to explore the state of nature, who we are, and what we perceive is required for our survival."[7]

Cover art

The cover art for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was designed by Tim O'Brien. It features a golden mockingjay at a new angle, entwined with a snake. Regarding the cover art, VP publisher and editorial director for Scholastic David Levithan stated that "This cover does an extraordinary job of capturing the conflict—both inner and outer—that lies at the heart of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The mockingjay has returned, but at a new angle . . . which is very much in line with the story that Suzanne Collins is telling."[8]

Release

Ballad of Songbirds Spanish Edition

Spanish edition, Balada de Pájaros Cantores y Serpientes

Ballad of Songbirds Barnes Exclusive

Barnes and Noble exclusive edition

Scholastic has announced a world record first printing of 2.5 million copies for the book.[9] Barnes and Noble will release an exclusive edition of the title featuring a reader's group guide, as well as a Q&A with author Suzanne Collins and editor David Levithan.[10] Walmart is also planning a release of an exclusive edition of the title which will come with a collectible bookmark.[11] The title has also been announced for release as an audiobook.[12] The audiobook will be narrated by Santino Fontana, a Tony award-winning actor of stage and screen, who has previously narrated titles such as Stephen King's The Institute, for which he won he won the 2020 Audie award for Best Thriller/Suspense title.[13] This version of the title will also be released as a pre-loaded digital audio player, a format intended mainly to be purchased by libraries for patrons to check out and play without the need for any additional equipment.[14] As of October 2019, translation rights for the title had been sold in 28 territories.[8] In a call regarding Scholastic quarterly results, Scholastic CEO Dick Robinson was asked about the possibility of the publication date of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes being changed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. He stated that Scholastic is reviewing its options, but that currently they strongly feel that they wish to hold on to the May 19 publishing date.[15] Scholastic has warned that they expect sales of the title to be lower than what they anticipated when they first announced it due to the outbreak.[16]

On April 23, 2020, a clip was released of author Suzanne Collins reading a bit less than two minutes of the opening of the book. The scene features Coriolanus Snow fretting about the upcoming Reaping for the 10th Hunger Games, eating cabbage to prevent his stomach from growling and worrying over the shirt that he will wear to the event. Tigris is revealed as a cousin of Snow who is aiding him with his wardrobe.[17][18] With stores unable to hold live events due to the ongoing pandemic, Barnes & Noble has announced a virtual book club on May 29th at 7 P.M. on its Instagram channel.[19] On May 12, 2020, Scholastic Audio released an excerpt of the first 11 minutes of the audiobook edition of the title as read by Santino Fontana.[20] At 12:01 A.M. on the day of the book's release, Suzanne Collins will give a special reading of the title, revealing the answer to the question "Who is the girl from District 12?"[21]

Reception

Amazon designated the title an "Amazon Best Book of May 2020." Reviewer Seira Wilson of Amazon Book Review stated "It’s been a decade since Mockingjay, the final book in the Hunger Games trilogy, was published and fans are going to be thrilled with Suzanne Collins’ unexpected prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This novel has been under serious lockdown, so all that can be said until May 19 is that it begins on the day of the reaping for the tenth annual Hunger Games, and an eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is mentoring the underdog tribute from District 12. Prepare to read this in book one sitting because you won’t be able to put it down."[1]

As of the evening of May 16, 2020, the title was #5 on Amazon's "Charts" feature, below John Grisham's Camino Winds and above Stephen King's If It Bleeds[22] and had reached the status of being the company's #1 bestseller in books.[23]

Gallery

External links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Amazon - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Retrieved on May 1, 2020.
  2. APNewsBreak: 'Hunger Games' Prequel Novel Coming in 2020. Usnew (June 17, 2019).
  3. Canfield, David (January 21, 2020). Who's the star of the Hunger Games prequel? Read the exclusive first excerpt. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on January 26, 2020.
  4. Lionsgate Planning ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Movie. Variety (June 17, 2019).
  5. Chitwood, Adam (April 21, 2020). ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Movie Officially in the Works; Francis Lawrence Returning to Direct. Collider. Retrieved on April 21, 2020.
  6. Amazon - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Journal. Retrieved on January 26, 2020.
  7. Donvito, Tina (January 30, 2020). Everything We Know About the Hunger Games Prequel, Plus Exclusive Intel From the Publisher!. Parade. Retrieved on January 31, 2020.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Scholastic Announces Title and Cover for New Novel in the Worldwide Bestselling Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins. Scholastic Press (October 4, 2019). Retrieved on February 29, 2020.
  9. Flood, Allison (January 22, 2020). Extract from Hunger Games prequel sparks anger among fans. The Guardian. Retrieved on January 26, 2020.
  10. Barnes and Noble - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes exclusive edition. Retrieved on January 31, 2020.
  11. Walmart - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes exclusive edition. Retrieved on February 2, 2020.
  12. Maughan, Shannon (January 31, 2020). Spring 2020 Announcements: Audio Books. Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved on February 16, 2020.
  13. Gans, Andrew (April 8, 2020). Tony Winner Santino Fontana Will Narrate Audio Edition of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Hunger Games Prequel. Playbill. Retrieved on April 8, 2020.
  14. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Preloaded Digital Audio Player. Amazon. Retrieved on April 14, 2020.
  15. Deahl, Rachel (March 24, 2020). As Coronavirus Spreads, Publishers Struggle with When, and How, to Move Pub Dates. Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved on March 29, 2020.
  16. Italie, Hillel (May 14, 2020). Promotion for 'Hunger Games' prequel, 'The Ballad of Songbirds,' will be virtual. USA Today. Retrieved on May 14, 2020.
  17. Hunger Games prequel: exclusive extract from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - audio. The Guardian (April 23, 2020).
  18. Ridgely, Charlie (April 24, 2020). The Hunger Games Creator Reveals Preview for Her New Spinoff (text version). Comicbook.com. Retrieved on April 24, 2020.
  19. Swartvagher, Jennifer (April 27, 2020). Attend a Virtual Book Club Event for “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”. Red Tricycle. Retrieved on April 27, 2020.
  20. Canfield, David (May 12, 2020). Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes: Listen to the first 11 minutes of the Hunger Games prequel. Retrieved on May 12, 2020.
  21. Almost there! Tune in at 12:01am EST.... The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Twitter (May 18, 2020). Retrieved on May 18, 2020.
  22. Amazon Charts - The Top 20 Most Sold & Most Read Books of the Week. Amazon. Retrieved on May 16, 2020.
  23. Amazon Best Sellers: Our most popular products based on sales. Updated hourly.. Amazon. Retrieved on May 16, 2020.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Main Characters Coriolanus SnowLucy Gray BairdSejanus Plinth
Supporting Characters TigrisGrandma'amVolumnia GaulCasca HighbottomClemensia DovecoteLysistrata VickersFestus Creed
Tributes FacetVelvereenMarcusSabynCircTesleeMizzenCoralHySolOttoGinneeTreechLaminaBobbinWoveyPanloSheafTannerBrandyReaperDillJessup
Mentors Livia CardewPalmyra MontyFlorus FriendIo JasperUrban CanvillePersephone PriceDennis FlingIphigenia MossApollo RingDiana RingVipsania SicklePliny HarringtonJuno PhippsHilarius HeavensbeeGaius BreenAndrocles AndersonDomitia WhimsiwickArachne CraneFelix Ravinstill
Groups AcademyCoveyPeacekeepersUniversityCapitol families
Locations PanemThe CapitolDistrict 1District 2District 3District 4District 5District 6District 7District 8District 9District 10District 11District 12District 13
Behind the Scenes Suzanne CollinsSantino Fontana