‘The Hunger Games’ prequel title, book cover revealed

Fans of “The Hunger Games” books and movies will soon get a look inside the world of Panem in the days before Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence in the hit film franchise), courtesy of a new book. | Lionsgate, via AP

NEW YORK — “The Hunger Games” prequel has a title and a book cover.

Suzanne Collins’ “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is due out May 19. Scholastic announced the title Friday along with the cover art, which features the now famous mockingjay symbol, along with a snake.

Collins announced earlier this year that she was revisiting the world of Panem with a new book set before the days of Katniss Everdeen. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” takes place 64 years earlier, during what Collins describes as the Reconstruction period after the war. It starts off on the morning of the 10th Hunger Games competition.

“The Hunger Games” was the first of a trilogy of best-selling books. It led to four blockbuster movies starring Jennifer Lawrence.

“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins will be published on May 19.