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Suzanne Collins

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Famous Suzanne Collins Quotes

“One more time? For the audience?" he says. His voice isn't angry. It's hollow, which is worse. Already the boy with the bread is slipping away from me. I take his hand, holding on tightly, preparing for the cameras, and dreading the moment when I will finally have to let go.”

MomentsHandsVoiceBoysAudienceLetting GoCamerasAngryBreadMore TimeDreadPreparingHolding OnHollowSlippingPeetaHand HoldingSlipping Away
Book:The Hunger Games Trilogy
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“I go to the saltwater and wash off the blood, trying to decide which I hate more, pain or itching. Fed up, I stomp back onto the beach, turn my face upward and snap, "Hey, Haymitch, if you're not too drunk, we could use a little something for our skin." It's almost funny how quickly the parachute appears above me. I reach up and the tube lands squarely in my open hand. "About time" I say, but I can't keep the scowl on my face. Haymitch. What I wouldn't give for five minutes of conversation with him.”

IfsGivingTryingLittlesI CanUseHandsPainFacesHateTurnsFiveBloodLandMinutesConversationSkinsI HateDrunkHeyBeachFedsFive MinutesSnapsTubesFed UpParachutesHaymitchItching
Author:Suzanne Collins
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“"What's going on down there, Katniss? Have they all joined hands? Taken a vow of nonviolence? Tossed the weapons in the sea in defiance of the Capitol?" Finnick asks. "No," I say. "No," Finnick repeats. "Because whatever happened in the past is in the past. And no one in this arena was a victor by chance." He eyes Peeta for a moment. "Except maybe Peeta."”

MomentsHandsEyePastAsksChanceTakenHappenedSeaWeaponsRepeatsNonviolenceArenaVowDefiancePeetaCapitolKatnissFinnickKatniss Peeta
Author:Suzanne Collins
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“She reaches in, digs her hand deep into the ball, and pulls out a slip of paper. The crowd draws in a collective breath, and then you can hear a pin drop, and I'm feeling nauseous and so desperately hoping that it's not me, that it's not me, that it's not me. Effie Trinket crosses back to the podium, smoothes the slip of paper, and reads out the name in a clear voice. And it's not me. It's Primrose Everdeen.”

FeelingsHandsNamesVoiceClearPaperDrawsCrossesBallsBreathsCrowdsCollectivesSlipsPinsTrinketsEffie Trinket
Book:The Hunger Games
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“I raise my left arm and twist my neck down to rip off the pill on my sleeve. Instead my teeth sink into flesh. I yank my head back in confusion to find myself looking into Peeta’s eyes, only now they hold my gaze. Blood runs from the teeth marks on the hand he clamped over my nightlock. “Let me go!” I snarl at him, trying to wrest my arm from his grasp. “I can’t,” he says.”

TryingI CanHandsEyeRunningLeftBloodArmsLet MeMarkRaisesFleshTeethConfusionNecksTwistsPillsRipSleevesPeetaMockingjayLet Me GoMockingjay Book
Author:Suzanne Collins
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“Four people wheel out a huge wedding cake from a side room. Most of the guests back up, making way for this rarity, this dazzling creation with blue-green, white-tipped icing waves swimming with fish and sailboats, seals and sea flowers. But I push my way through the crowd to confirm what I knew at first sight. As surely as the embroidery stitches in Annie's gown were done by Cinna's hand, the frosted flowers on the cake were done by Peeta's.”

PeopleWayFirstsDoneHandsSidesWhiteRoomsFourSeaCreationFlowerHugeSightBlueGreenWaveFishesCrowdsMy WayWheelsCakeSwimmingGuestsSealsGownsPeetaDazzlingStitchesAnnieRarityIcingSailboatEmbroideryWedding CakeCinna
Book:Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, Book 3)
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“Today I might lose both of them. I try to imagine a world where both Gale's and Peeta's voices have ceased. Hands stilled. Eyes unblinking. I'm standing over their bodies, having a last look, leaving the room where they lie. But when I open the door to step out into the world, there's only a tremendous void. A pale grey nothingness that is all my future holds.”

WorldTryingLooksBodyHandsMightEyeTodayLastsLyingVoiceLosesRoomsStepsImagineDoorsStandingLeavingVoidPaleNothingnessGreyMy FuturePeetaGale
Book:The Hunger Games Complete Trilogy
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“It's a long shot, it's suicide maybe, but I do the only thing I can think of. I lean in and kiss Peeta full on the mouth. His whole body starts shuddering, but I keep my lips pressed to his until I have to come up for air. My hands slide up his wrists to clasp his. "Don't let him take you from me." Peeta's panting hard as he fights the nightmares raging his head. "No. I don't want to. . ." I clench his hands to the point of pain. "Stay with me." His pupils contract to pinpoints, dilate again rapidly, and then return to something resembling normalcy. "Always," he murmurs.”

ThinkingWantLongI CanHardWholeBodyHandsPainFightingAirReturnKissingMouthsShotsSuicideLipsCome UpRageNightmareContractsSlidesPupilsWristsPeetaNormalcyStay With MeLong ShotsShudderingKatniss Peeta
Book:Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, Book 3)
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“Then something unexpected happens. At least, I don't expect it because I don't think of District 12 as a place that cares about me. But a shift has occurred since I stepped up to take Prim's place, and now it seems I have become someone precious. At first one, then another, then almost every member of the crowd touches the three middle fingers of their left hand to their lips and holds it out to me. It is an old and rarely used gesture of our district, occasionally seen at funerals. It means thanks, it means admiration, it means good-bye to someone you love.”

ThinkingFirstsMeanHandsSeemsHappensCareUsedThreeLeftMiddleMembersFingersLipsCrowdsThanksUnexpectedAdmirationFuneralGesturesByeGood ByeSomeone You LoveLeft HandMiddle FingerSomething UnexpectedDistrict 12
Author:Suzanne Collins
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“"Katniss?" He drops my hand and I take a step, as if to catch my balance. "It was all for the Games," Peeta says. "How you acted." "Not all of it," I say, tightly holding onto my flowers. "Then how much? No, forget that. I guess the real question is what's going to be left when we get home?" he says. "I don't know. The closer we get to District Twelve, the more confused I get," I say. He waits, for further explanation, but none's forthcoming. "Well, let me know when you work it out," he says, and the pain in his voice is palpable.”

IfsKnowsWellsRealHomeHandsPainGamesLeftWaitingVoiceForgetStepsFlowerBalanceLet MeExplanationConfusedWorking ItTwelvePeetaKatnissReal QuestionsForthcoming
Author:Suzanne Collins
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“We hand the meat over to Greasy Sae in the kitchen. She likes District 13 well enough, even though she thinks the cooks are somewhat lacking in imagination. But a woman who came up with a palatable wild dog and rhubarb stew is bound to feel as if her hands are tied here.”

IfsThinkingFeelsWellsEnoughHandsImaginationDogBoundsLikesCooksMeatKitchenTiedLackingStewWild DogsSae
Book:Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, Book 3)
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“They can fatten me up. They can give me a full body polish, dress me up, and make me beautiful again. They can design dream weapons that come to life in my hands, but they will never again brainwash me into the necessity of using them. I no longer feel allegiance to these monsters called human beings, despite being one myself.”

GivingFeelsHumansDreamBodyHandsBeautifulHuman BeingsDesignWeaponsGive MeDressesMonstersDespitePolishAllegianceBrainwash
Book:The Hunger Games Trilogy
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“I'm unaware that my feet are moving to the table until I'm inches from the holograph. My hand reaches in and cups a rapidly blinking green light. Someone joins me, his body tense. Finnick, of course. Because only a victor would see what I see so immediately. The arena. Laced with pods controlled by Gamemakers. Finnick's fingers caress a steady red glow over a doorway. "Ladies and gentlemen..." His voice is quiet, but mine rings through the room. "Let the Seventy-sixth Hunger Games begin!”

BodyHandsLightMovingCoursesGamesVoiceRoomsFeetMinesQuietRedTablesGreenFingersHungerRingsCupsGentlemanControlledSteadyInchesSeventiesArenaTenseDoorwaysCaressLadies And GentlemenGreen LightsFinnick
Book:Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, Book 3)
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“Peeta rinses the pearl off in the water and hands it to me. “For you.” I hold it out on my palm and examine its iridescent surface in the sunlight. Yes, I will keep it. For the few remaining hours of my life I will keep it close. This last gift from Peeta. The only one I can really accept. Perhaps it will give me strength in the final moments.”

GivingI CanMomentsHandsLastsWaterHoursAcceptingGive MeFinalsSurfaceSunlightPearlsPalmsPeetaGive Me StrengthIridescent
Book:Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games)
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“A light was on in the kitchen. His mother sat at the kitchen table, as still as a statue. Her hands were clasped together, and she stared fixatedly at a small stain on the tablecloth. Gregor remembered seeing her that way so many nights after his dad had disappeared. He didn't know what to say. He didn't want to scare her or shock her or ever give her any more pain. So, he stepped into the light of the kitchen and said the one thing he knew she wanted to hear most in the world. "Hey, Mom. We're home.”

KnowsWorldWayWantGivingSaidStillsHomeHandsLightWantedPainTogetherMotherNightSeeingOne ThingMomDadTablesHeyRememberedSatKitchenShockScareStatuesStainsKitchen Table
Author:Suzanne Collins
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“Then it’s just Venia, whose skin is so pale her tattoos appear to be leaping off it. Almost rigid with determination, she does my hair and nails and makeup, fingers flying swiftly to compensate for her absent teammates. The whole time, she avoids my gaze. It’s only when Cinna shows up to approve me and dismiss her that she takes my hands, looks me straight in the eye, and says, “We would all like you to know what a…privilege it has been to make you look your best.” Then she hastens from the room.”

KnowsLooksDoeHas BeensWholeShowsHandsEyeRoomsLike YouHairDeterminationSkinsFingersPrivilegeFlyingMakeupPaleNailsTattooAbsentTeammateCinnaTake My Hand
Book:The Hunger Games Trilogy
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“At least, you two have decent manners," says Effie as we're finishing the main course. "The pair last year ate everything with their hands like a couple of savages. It completely upset my digestion." ... My mother taught Prim and me to eat properly, so yes, I can handle a fork and knife. But I hate Effie Trinket's comment so much I make a point of eating the rest of my meal with my fingers. Then I wipe my hands on the tablecloth. This makes her purse her lips tightly together.”

YearsI CanTwoHandsTogetherLastsMotherHateCoursesTaughtCoupleEatingI HateFingersLipsHandleMannersUpsetMealsDecentPairsCommentKnivesLast YearSavagesWipeFinishingPursesForksDigestionTrinketsYes I CanMain CourseEffie Trinket
Author:Suzanne Collins
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“"Clove!" Cato's voice is much nearer now. I can tell by the pain in it that he sees her on the ground. "You better run now, Fire Girl," says Thresh. I don't need to be told twice. I flip over and my feet dig into the hard-packed earth as I run away from Thresh and Clove and the sound of Cato's voice. Only when I reach the woods do I turn back for an instant. Thresh and both large backpacks are vanishing over the edge of the plain into the area I've never seen. Cato kneels beside Clove, spear in hand, begging her to stay with him. In a moment, he will realize it's futile; she can't be saved.”

NeedsI CanHardMomentsHandsRunningEarthPainTurnsGirlSoundVoiceRealizingFireFeetAreasEdgesWoodsSavedInstantRunning AwayFlipBeggingSpearsVanishingOver The EdgeCatoThresh
Author:Suzanne Collins
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“I remember the first time I saw you. Your hair was in two braids instead of one. And I remember when you... you sang in the music assembly and the teacher said... "Who knows The Valley Song?" and your hand shot straight up. After that, I... I watched you going home every day...”

KnowsFirstsSaidTwoHomeHandsRememberSongSawsTeacherHairShotsFirst TimeEverydayValleysRemember WhenAssemblyPeetaGoing HomeStraight UpBraidsFirst Time I Saw You
Author:Suzanne Collins
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“And then it happens. Up and down the row, the victors begin to join hands. Some right away, like the morphlings, or Wiress and Beetee. Others unsure but caught up in the demands of those around them, like Brutus and Enobaria. By the time the anthem plays its final strains, all twenty-four of us stand in one unbroken line in what must be the first public show of unity among the districts since the Dark Days. You can see the realization of this as the screens begin to pop into blackness. It's too late, though. In the confusion they didn't cut us off in time. Everyone has seen.”

FirstsPlayShowsHandsHappensLinesDarkFourCuttingDemandLateTwentiesUnityFinalsCaughtPopsScreensConfusionRealizationToo LateCaught UpStrainUp And DownBlacknessUnbrokenAnthemUnsureDark DaysBrutus
Book:Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games)
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“My death could, in fact, save him. If it can't, no matter. It's enough to die of spite. To punish Haymitch, who, of all the people in this rotting world, has turned Peeta and me into pieces in his Games. I trusted him. I put what was precious in Haymitch's hands. And he has betrayed me.”

PeopleIfsWorldMatterEnoughFactsHandsDiesGamesPiecesSpiteTrustedBetrayedPeetaRottingHaymitch
Book:Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games)
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