Unlike most Tributes sent to the Capitol, The Hunger Games has lived to see 18.
Suzanne Collins’ classic Young Adult novel was published on September 14, 2008. The novel, which launched a best-selling five-book series, tells the story of Katniss Everdeen, a teenage girl living in a dystopian nation where young “tributes” compete in an annual fight-to-the-death.
The success of The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games quickly became a global sensation. It was on the New York Times bestseller list for over 260 consecutive weeks (more than 5 years). The Hunger Games series has over 100 million copies in print and has been translated into 55 languages. The books were adapted into a successful movie series starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss with the first five movies grossing more than $3.4 billion worldwide. The next film in the series, Sunrise on the Reaping, will be released in November.
Here at DKPL , it was a world featured at our 2026 World of Reading event in March. The day featured multiple “reapings” for an archery competition, Panem-related decor, a bow and arrow craft and a reaping day snack of basil and goat cheese.
Not an overnight success
It’s easy to see the franchise’s popularity and assume that Suzanne Collins was destined for massive success. But it probably didn’t feel that way to her. She didn’t experience major success until later in her life. In fact, she had just turned 46 when the first Hunger Games novel was published.
So what was Suzanne Collins up to in her 20s and 30s? She wasn’t publishing books, but she was earning degrees (including a Master of Fine Arts degree from New York University) and then writing for television. She honed her craft writing first for the sitcom Hi Honey, I’m Home! and then for multiple Nickelodeon TV shows, including Clarissa Explains it All, Little Bear and Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!. She was also the head writer for Clifford’s Puppy Years on PBS.
She was inspired to start writing books after meeting illustrator James Proimos. In 2003, Gregor the Overlander was published. It was the first in a series of children’s fantasy novels called The Underland Chronicles. While not as successful as The Hunger Games series would be, the series did gain positive attention from critics and readers.
The origin of The Hunger Games
Collins got the idea for The Hunger Games when she was channel surfing and flipped between a reality TV show and footage of the Iraq War. The “lines between these stories started to blur in an unsettling way,” she said. During her childhood, her father fought in the Vietnam War, so the idea of television bringing home news of conflict was resonant for her. She began to explore TV’s power to turn real people in real danger into characters overcoming obstacles to entertain an audience.
After 17 years working as a television writer, she also understood how to satirize it for the story she wanted to tell. But she had also felt like Katniss in the years before she volunteered as Tribute, waiting for news of how a far-off conflict was affecting her loved ones.
Suzanne Collins probably couldn’t have written The Hunger Games if she hadn’t spent 46 years living life, working different jobs, and improving her writing skills. As we celebrate 18 years of The Hunger Games, it’s a great time to remember that success is rarely instant and what leads to it matters as well.
Are you interested in reading Suzanne Collins’ books? The Teen Services staff are happy to help you find them! You can use your free DKPL library card to check out a variety of materials, including books to video games. Stop by the Teen Room with any questions or contact the Teen Services Staff at (815) 756-9568 ext. 2450 or by email at [email protected].