Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Summary:
After being rescued from District 13, Katniss struggles to deal with the responsibility that comes with being the figurehead for an entire revolution.  While the rebels are waging war, district by district, Katniss is filming propaganda videos to air in the capitol, encouraging people to join their cause.  The Capitol is airing its own films featuring interviews with Peeta, who wasn't able to escape in the District 13 hovercraft with the others.  Katniss is unable to sustain her role as the Mockingjay knowing how Peeta is suffering at the hands of President Snow, so another rescue mission is launched and returns successful.  But President Snow has one more surprise for Katniss: he's brainwashed Peeta into thinking she's evil.

Response (Spoilers):
I can honestly say that the end of this novel made me cry like a five year old with a skinned knee.  Suzanne Collins does not shy away from the harsh realities of war and I commend her for that.  There is also a certain amount of hope for the characters.  That part that made me cry, the death of her sister.  It could be because I have such a close relationship with my own sister and could completely understand what Katniss must be feeling, but I also think Collins does an excellent job of portraying her character's grief.

I was glad to have a little more interaction between Gale and Katniss in this novel.  It helped to develop that friendship/relationship for me and I honestly believed she was torn between her feelings for Gale and Peeta.  Though, I have to maintain that Gale's affection for Katniss seems to always be motivated by jealousy whereas Peeta's comes from a genuine place.  Even in the end, when Katniss has completely shut down and can't function, Gale abandons her for a shiny new job in a different district while Peeta is the one who comes back to be with her.

I wish there had been a little more conversation about Katniss' decision to kill President Coin, or even President Coin's true motives.  I will agree that the decision to continue the Hunger Games, but with only Capitol Children this time, was a huge motivator for Katniss' actions.  It really made the point that President Coin wasn't looking for a total revolution, just a change in power.  But we don't see the trial where Katniss' fate is decided, just her continued breakdown after the death of her sister and abandonment by her mother.

Overall, I think this was an excellent end to the trilogy.  I think a few additional chapters would have tied it up even better, but I wasn't disappointed in the ending.  The series, as a whole, deals with difficult subject matter and I wouldn't recommend it for young children without some sort of conversation or guided reading.  But it is an excellent way to teach younger generations about the reality of war and freedoms.  Always an entertaining read for those of us who are older.  I was captivated by the story and cared very much for the individual characters.