Scholastic Introduces Gift Edition of The Hunger Games (Holiday 2011), to Be Followed By Movie Tie-In Program (Spring 2012)

NEW YORK, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company, today announced the publication of a special gift edition of the worldwide bestselling The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins for holiday 2011. Three movie tie-in titles will follow in early 2012, based on The Hunger Games film, currently in production at Lionsgate. Scholastic will publish and deliver the titles through all of its distribution channels both domestically and internationally.

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The Hunger Games Collector's Edition ($30, November 2011, ISBN: 978-0-545-40577-5) will be published in November 2011 and will include a special slipcase featuring exclusive new mockingjay artwork. The three movie tie-in titles include The Hunger Games: Movie Tie-In Edition ($12.99, February 2012, ISBN: 978-0-545-42511-7), The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion ($18.99, February 2012, ISBN: 978-0-545-42290-1) and The World of The Hunger Games ($17.99, February 2012; ISBN: 978-0-545-42290-1), all to be published in February 2012 in advance of the much-anticipated March 2012 feature film release.

"Millions of readers have already discovered the world of The Hunger Games series, and now even more will come to it through the release of the film," said Ellie Berger, President of the Scholastic Trade Publishing division. "The collector's edition will be the perfect holiday gift this year for teens or adults, and the tie-in books will add new dimensions to our Hunger Games publishing as we anticipate the release of the feature film."

First 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 140 consecutive weeks since publication, and there are more than 9.6 million copies of all three books in the trilogy, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay, in print in the U.S. to date. Foreign publishing rights for The Hunger Games trilogy have been sold into 42 territories.

About Suzanne Collins

Suzanne Collins has had a successful and prolific career writing for children's television on such shows as Clarissa Explains It All, The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo and Wow Wow Wubbzy. She made her mark in children's literature with the New York Times bestselling five-book series for middle-grade readers The Underland Chronicles. Collins continued to explore the effects of war and violence on those coming of age in the award-winning and bestselling The Hunger Games trilogy. In 2010 Collins was named to the TIME 100 list as well as the Entertainment Weekly Entertainers of the Year list. In 2011 Fast Company named her to their 100 Most Creative People in Business. She lives with her family in Connecticut.

About The Hunger Games Movie

Film rights for The Hunger Games were optioned by Lionsgate, with Nina Jacobson's Color Force production company producing the film in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The film is directed by Gary Ross (Pleasantville, Seabiscuit), and in early 2011 the pivotal roles of Katniss, Peeta, and Gale were cast. Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone, the upcoming X-Men: First Class) will take on the coveted role of Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson (The Kids Are Alright) will portray her fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark, and Liam Hemsworth (The Last Song) will be her hunting partner Gale Hawthorne. Production is slated to begin in early summer 2011 and the film will be released on March 23, 2012.

About Scholastic

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology and related services and children's media. Scholastic creates quality books, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, magazines, multi-media and other products that help children learn both at school and at home. The Company distributes its products and services worldwide through a variety of channels, including school-based book clubs and book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, on-air, and online at www.scholastic.com.

SOURCE Scholastic