New York, NY — December 3, 2009 — Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education, and media company, announced today that the much-anticipated third book in Suzanne Collins’s #1 bestselling The Hunger Games trilogy will be released in English worldwide on August 24, 2010 (Untitled third book of The Hunger Games trilogy, U.S. hardcover edition ISBN: 978-0-439-02351-1, $17.99; Simultaneous release from Scholastic Audio, U.S. edition ISBN: 978-0-545-10142-4, $39.99). Scholastic also announced today that the trade paperback edition of the #1 New York Times bestselling first book, The Hunger Games, is scheduled for U.S. publication on July 6, 2010 (U.S. edition ISBN: 978-0-439-02352-8; $8.99).

"In just fourteen months, we have more than 1.5 million copies of the first two books in The Hunger Games trilogy in print in North America alone," said Ellie Berger, President of the Scholastic Trade Publishing division. "As Suzanne Collins puts the finishing touches on this anxiously-awaited third book, we join her many fans in eager anticipation of what lies ahead for Katniss Everdeen."

The Hunger Games is a futuristic trilogy for ages 12 to adult by Suzanne Collins, author of the bestselling Underland Chronicles series for middle-grade readers. Published in September 2008, The Hunger Games was an instant bestseller, appealing to both teen readers and adults. It has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list for more than 60 consecutive weeks since publication, and also has appeared repeatedly on the USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. Called "addictive" by Stephen King in a review in Entertainment Weekly and "amazing" by Stephenie Meyer on her website, The Hunger Games has captured the imagination of critics and readers alike. The Hunger Games was named a New York Times Notable Book of 2008, a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2008, a School Library Journal Best Book of 2008, a 2008 Booklist Editors' Choice, a Kirkus Best Book of 2008, and a 2008 Horn Book Fanfare Book.

Catching Fire, the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy, was published September 1, 2009. It debuted at #1 on the USA Today bestseller list its first week on sale and simultaneously appeared at #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. Since the publication of Catching Fire, it and The Hunger Games have shared the #1 and #2 positions on the New York Times bestseller list (Children’s Chapter Books) for 13 consecutive weeks to date (through December 13, 2009). In addition, Catching Fire so far has been named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2009, a Booklist Editors’ Choice, and a Kirkus Best Young Adult Book of 2009. Foreign publishing rights for The Hunger Games and its sequel have been sold into 37 territories to date. Film rights for The Hunger Games have been optioned by Lionsgate, and Nina Jacobson's Color Force production company will produce the film with Suzanne Collins set to write the screenplay. There are currently more than 800,000 copies of The Hunger Games and more than 750,000 copies of Catching Fire in print in the U.S.

More About The Hunger Games
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capital surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capital is harsh and cruel and keeps the other districts in line by forcing them to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight-to-the death on live TV. One boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and sixteen are selected by lottery to play. The winner brings riches and favor to his or her district. But that is nothing compared to what the Capital wins: one more year of fearful compliance with its rules. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her impoverished district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to death before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. Acclaimed writer Suzanne Collins delivers equal parts suspense and philosophy, adventure and romance, in this stunning novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present.

About Suzanne Collins
Suzanne Collins has had a successful and prolific career writing for children's television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains It All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. Collins made her mark in children's literature with the New York Times bestselling five-book series for middle-grade readers The Underland Chronicles, which has received numerous accolades in both the United States and abroad. In the award-winning The Hunger Games trilogy, Collins continues to explore the effects of war and violence on those coming of age. Collins lives with her family in Connecticut.

For more information about Scholastic, visit our media room at: http://mediaroom.scholastic.com.

Contacts:

Tracy van Straaten
Vice President of Publicity
Children’s Trade Book Publishing
Scholastic Inc.
212-389-3782
tvanstraaten@scholastic.com

Sheila Marie Everettt
Senior Publicist
Children's Trade Book Publishing
Scholastic Inc.
212-389-3786
severett@scholastic.com