Sunrise on the Reaping: Complete Character Guide

Haymitch Abernathy is a 16-year-old bootlegger from District 12. He was born on July 4th, the Reaping Day for Panem. Haymitch lives with his mother, Willamae, and his brother, Sid. His father died in a coal mine fire when Haymitch was young.

He’s dating Lenore Dove, a Covey girl from District 12. Haymitch does odd jobs around the district, including helping with his mother’s laundry business, making illicit moonshine, and doing manual labor for Hattie Meeney.

Haymitch Abernathy is a 16-year-old bootlegger from District 12. He was born on July 4th, the Reaping Day for Panem. Haymitch lives with his mother, Willamae, and his brother, Sid. His father died in a coal mine fire when Haymitch was young.

He’s dating Lenore Dove, a Covey girl from District 12. Haymitch does odd jobs around the district, including helping with his mother’s laundry business, making illicit moonshine, and doing manual labor for Hattie Meeney.

On his 16th birthday, which is also Reaping Day, Haymitch is illegally reaped for the Second Quarter Quell after intervening when his girlfriend, Lenore Dove, tries to help a family whose son has been killed after trying to run upon originally being selected for reaping.

Haymitch is one of four tributes from District 12, alongside Wyatt, Maysilee, and Louella. Upon arriving in the Capitol, Haymitch plans to protect Louella, but she dies tragically during the tribute parade. Haymitch makes a statement in the chariot with Louella’s corpse, angering President Snow.

During training, Haymitch forms the “Newcomer Alliance” with other non-Career tributes, including Ampert, who is Beetee’s son. Beetee, who is part of the training staff, secretly helps Haymitch by teaching him how to create a battery and discussing how to break the arena. President Snow, displeased with Haymitch’s defiant attitude, confronts him and hints at the danger his family faces.

In the arena, Haymitch initially distances himself from his allies to avoid putting them at risk. He tries to blow up the water tank under the arena, which fails. He then decides to continue his attempts and tries to blow up the generator. Days later, he partners with Maysilee.

Haymitch figures out that there’s a force field at the edge of the arena protecting the generator that reflects all projectiles. Haymitch eventually uses the arena’s force field to kill the final Career, Silka, becoming the victor.

After his victory, Haymitch realizes that because he survived, his family and loved ones are in danger. He sucks up to President Snow, letting the inhabitants of the Capitol dehumanize him in an attempt to save them.

When he arrives at District 12, Haymitch finds his house on fire, and his mother and brother are dead. Lenore Dove is poisoned by President Snow, leaving him alone and devastated. Overcome with grief and trauma, Haymitch turns to alcohol.

Plutarch Heavensbee visits him, hinting at future rebellion and suggesting that a man who has nothing left to lose is valuable to the rebellion.

In the epilogue, Haymitch reflects on his past while mentoring Katniss and Peeta and the war effort they led. He never moves on from Lenore Dove, her spirit haunting and guarding him at the same time, aging with him. He knows his liver is about to give out, but he can’t go to Lenore yet—his family needs him. He’s at peace, knowing he fulfilled his promises, and when he’s ready, Lenore will be on the other side.

Maysilee Donner lives above the candy shop her family owns in District 12, along with her twin sister, Merrilee. Known as the district’s mean girl, Maysilee has a sharp wit and is known for her occasionally cruel remarks.

Maysilee Donner lives above the candy shop her family owns in District 12, along with her twin sister, Merrilee. Known as the district’s mean girl, Maysilee has a sharp wit and is known for her occasionally cruel remarks.

Maysilee Donner is reaped for the 50th Hunger Games as one of District 12’s tributes. During training, she achieves a score of 6.

Although known for her sharp tongue and cruel remarks, especially toward Drusilla, District 12’s escort, Maysilee shows a softer side when interacting with other tributes. She often gives unsolicited fashion advice but also helps tributes make their tokens into beautiful jewelry they can take into the arena. Maysilee refuses to be treated like an animal by the Capitol, insisting on maintaining her dignity and not allowing them to “paint her poster” for her.

During the Games, when Haymitch is attacked by the Career pack, Maysilee saves his life by shooting Panache with a blow gun and poison made from arena flora. After this, she becomes Haymitch’s ally.

Later, while running into two Gamemakers and Silka from District 2, Maysilee kills one of the Gamemakers. When Haymitch enters the maze by the generator, Maysilee splits off to get their food.

Maysilee is then attacked by a pack of bright, candy-pink bird mutts—genetically engineered creatures designed to punish her for killing the Gamemakers. One of the birds skewers her through the throat, and she dies.

Beetee Latier is the winner of the 34th Hunger Games, which coincidentally took place on the day Haymitch was born. Beetee secured his victory by electrocuting the six remaining tributes. Later, he served as a mentor to Wiress during the 49th Hunger Games.

Beetee Latier is the winner of the 34th Hunger Games, which coincidentally took place on the day Haymitch was born. Beetee secured his victory by electrocuting the six remaining tributes. Later, he served as a mentor to Wiress during the 49th Hunger Games.

Beetee is assigned as a mentor to the District 3 tributes for the 50th Hunger Games and also teaches survival skills in the training hall. One of the stations he runs shows tributes how to make a battery out of a potato.

It is revealed that Beetee previously tried to sabotage the Hunger Games, and as punishment, his son Ampert is reaped as a tribute. The Capitol chooses not to kill Beetee because he is too important to Panem’s technology. Instead, they force him to watch his son die.

After Beetee shares his belief that all arenas are machines, Haymitch asks him how to break the arena. Beetee, Haymitch, Wiress, and a few others begin conspiring to sabotage the arena to stop the Games.

Wiress knocks out the power to the building, allowing Beetee to sneak into the District 12 tributes’ quarters. Beetee tells Haymitch about the plan to blow up the water tank beneath the arena. He also laces the District 9 tributes’ tokens with explosives and includes fuses in Ampert’s and Maysilee’s tokens as part of the plan to end the Games once and for all.

Beetee is deeply agonized by the fact that his son was reaped as punishment for his actions, and the Capitol is forcing him to watch Ampert die.

Wiress is the winner of the 49th Hunger Games. She hails from District 3.

Wiress is the winner of the 49th Hunger Games. She hails from District 3.

Wiress, like Beetee, believes that arenas are machines. When reaped for the Hunger Games in an arena called the Nest of Mirrors, Wiress understands the arena better than the Gamemakers and manages to hide out in a blind spot until all the other tributes have died, securing her victory.

Since there are no living District 12 victors, Wiress is assigned as one of District 12’s mentors for the 50th Hunger Games, alongside Mags. During training, she helps the tributes by giving survival tips, including teaching them a song about essential survival skills.

After the Games, Wiress is tortured by the Capitol for her involvement in helping Haymitch and the others attempt to break the arena.

Mags Flanagan is the winner of the 11th Hunger Games. She comes from District 4. Mags was the first victor to go on a Victory Tour and the first winner to receive a monetary prize, as rewards were first implemented during that year.

Mags Flanagan is the winner of the 11th Hunger Games. She comes from District 4. Mags was the first victor to go on a Victory Tour and the first winner to receive a monetary prize, as rewards were first implemented during that year.

Mags is assigned as one of District 12’s mentors for the 50th Hunger Games since there are no living victors from that district. She is nurturing and motherly toward the tributes, always showing them kindness. After Louella’s death, Mags has bean soup made for Haymitch to comfort him. During training, she advises the tributes to look for clues about the arena.

During the Games, Mags tries to send sponsor gifts to Haymitch and Maysilee to let them know they are not alone.

After the Games, Mags is tortured by the Capitol alongside Wiress for her involvement in the plan to break the arena.

Plutarch Heavensbee is from the Capitol and belongs to the influential Heavensbee family. He works as the cameraman for the Reaping in District 12.

Plutarch Heavensbee is from the Capitol and belongs to the influential Heavensbee family. He works as the cameraman for the Reaping in District 12.

Plutarch initially presents as an opportunist who tries to make a spectacle out of people’s tragedies during the Reaping. He attempts to manipulate Lenore Dove and Haymitch’s family into crying after Haymitch is reaped.

After the Reaping, Plutarch consistently tries to gain Haymitch’s trust. He questions why Haymitch doesn’t try to attack the Capitol when he has weapons and applauds Haymitch’s attempt to make Louella’s death mean something after the chariot accident.

Later, Haymitch is separated from the other tributes and brought to Plutarch’s mansion, where a meeting with President Snow takes place. Plutarch tends to the President, who is clearly poisoned, by offering him milk and bread. After Haymitch drinks the last of the milk, Plutarch covers for him, showing subtle support. Plutarch is unaware of Snow’s plan to replace Louella with a body double.

The night before the Games, Plutarch arranges a phone call between Haymitch and Lenore Dove, indicating that the desire for freedom is not unique to the districts, revealing his rebellious intent. He also provides crucial information about the arena’s mutt portals disguised as berms, which lead to the water tanks—a detail Beetee doesn’t get to share with Haymitch.

Plutarch also coaches the tributes to perform well in their interviews.

After the Games, Plutarch pulls Haymitch aside and reveals the rebellion effort, convincing him that a man with nothing left to lose is valuable to the cause. Plutarch tells Haymitch that they need someone just like him—just luckier—and that they must bide their time gathering forces.

During the Victory Tour, Haymitch expresses his disgust towards Plutarch, but Plutarch tells him that Haymitch is not the hero of this story—but at least he’s still in the game.

Wyatt Callow lives in District 12. He is one of the “Booker Boys” of the district, known for running gambling games and taking bets on events like the Hunger Games. Wyatt is good with numbers and works as an oddsmaker for his family.

Wyatt Callow lives in District 12. He is one of the “Booker Boys” of the district, known for running gambling games and taking bets on events like the Hunger Games. Wyatt is good with numbers and works as an oddsmaker for his family.

Wyatt is one of the District 12 tributes in the 50th Hunger Games. Initially, the other District 12 kids dislike him because of their distaste for the Booker family and their habit of betting on games. However, Wyatt quickly demonstrates that he is clever and analytical, able to calculate probabilities on the spot.

Eventually, Wyatt earns the trust of the other District 12 tributes and becomes part of the Newcomers alliance.

After Haymitch’s meeting with President Snow, Haymitch returns with Lou Lou. Wyatt, along with the others, realizes that Lou Lou is a tortured girl from District 12. Wyatt develops a soft spot for Lou Lou, taking care of her and protecting her.

During his interview with Caesar Flickerman, Wyatt impresses the sponsors by using his odd-making skills to calculate probabilities.

Upon entering the arena, Wyatt tries to protect Lou Lou during the initial bloodbath at the Cornucopia. He is killed by Panache Barker, who strikes him with a sword.

Ampert is a 12 year old boy from District 3.

Ampert is a 12 year old boy from District 3.

Ampert is reaped for the 50th Hunger Games as punishment for his dad, Beetee, trying to sabotage the Capitol’s communication system. Beetee, being too valuable to kill, is forced to mentor his son and watch him die.

Before the Games, Ampert decides to build an alliance between the non-Career districts to stand a chance against the Career pack. During training, he quickly convinces Districts 7 and 8 to join and approaches Haymitch from District 12. Ampert pitches the idea of hunting the Careers instead of waiting to be hunted, and Wyatt agrees that they can beat the odds if enough tributes join. They name their group the Newcomers to show they aren’t Career collaborators.

Before the Games begin, Beetee enlists Ampert and Haymitch to help sabotage the arena by drowning the control room. Ampert focuses on getting District 9 to join, as their flower tokens can be used to smuggle explosives. They hide the fuse in the black cord of Ampert’s token.

Once in the arena, Ampert stays with the Newcomers on the mountain, while Haymitch heads to the forest. Ampert later leaves the group, claiming they need Haymitch, but it’s really to continue the sabotage plan. He finds Haymitch, and they secretly prepare to blow up the water tank. Ampert stays behind while Haymitch climbs down to the sublevel.

They manage to bomb the water tank, but the arena doesn’t shut down. In retaliation, the Gamemakers send squirrel mutts specifically programmed to attack Ampert. The mutts devour him, leaving behind a small white skeleton.

Louella McCoy is a young girl from District 12 with half a dozen siblings. When she was younger, she had a crush on Haymitch, calling him her “sweetheart” for about a week. Despite that, they’ve remained friends ever since.

Louella McCoy is a young girl from District 12 with half a dozen siblings. When she was younger, she had a crush on Haymitch, calling him her “sweetheart” for about a week. Despite that, they’ve remained friends ever since.

Louella is reaped alongside the other District 12 tributes for the 50th Hunger Games. As longtime friends, Haymitch and Louella immediately form an alliance.

During the tribute parade, one of the horses becomes spooked, causing the chariots to get out of control. The horses bolt, and the chariot starts to buckle. Despite Haymitch’s efforts to shield her, Louella flies off the chariot, hits the pavement, and dies instantly from a head injury.

After her death, Haymitch grabs Louella’s body and drives the chariot to confront President Snow, sarcastically applauding to make a statement about what the Games caused.

Following her death, Louella is replaced with a body double that the other tributes nickname Lou Lou.

President Snow is the most powerful person in Panem. He is a cruel and manipulative dictator who runs an authoritarian government. His Peacekeepers enforce control and keep the districts in check.

President Snow is the most powerful person in Panem. He is a cruel and manipulative dictator who runs an authoritarian government. His Peacekeepers enforce control and keep the districts in check.

During the Chariot rides for the 50th Hunger Games, Louella McCoy dies in an accident. Haymitch takes control of the chariot, carries Louella’s body to the President’s mansion, and lays her at the feet of President Snow, who is watching from the balcony. Snow, unimpressed, smiles calmly at Haymitch, but Haymitch steps back and sarcastically claps, making a statement about the Capitol’s cruelty. Snow’s expression changes, and he takes an interest in Haymitch’s flint striker token.

The next day, Haymitch is brought to the Heavensbee home after training. President Snow arrives, visibly ill from food poisoning, bleeding from the mouth and vomiting. Plutarch and Haymitch tend to him, with Haymitch deliberately drinking the last of the milk meant for Snow. Snow eventually recovers after taking an antidote and demands more milk and bread.

Snow discusses the Heavensbee family, hints at his past with Lucy Gray Baird, and analyzes Haymitch’s flint striker token, suspecting a deeper connection to the Covey. Snow’s familiarity with District 12 surprises Haymitch. Snow correctly guesses that Lenore Dove is linked to the Covey tradition of colorful names and music. Snow then warns Haymitch that his defiance has sealed his fate but assures him that Lenore and his family will be spared if Haymitch complies.

Snow then introduces Lou Lou, a body double created to replace Louella. He explains that no one outside the drunken audience saw Louella’s accident, so Lou Lou will be presented as if Louella survived. Snow intends to maintain the illusion for the public and expects Haymitch to coach Lou Lou to keep up the act.

During the Games, Haymitch receives a jug of milk as a sponsor gift, which he suspects is poisoned and sent by Snow. Snow intends for Haymitch to either kill Wellie with it or commit suicide to save her. Before Haymitch can use it, Silka Sharp kills Wellie.

Despite Haymitch’s rebellious actions and using the arena’s force field to kill the final Career, Snow ultimately decides to let Haymitch live as the victor rather than executing him. After the Games, Snow continues to exert control over Haymitch’s life, treating him like a glorified pet during the victory celebrations.

During Haymitch’s stay in the Capitol, Snow makes him watch archived Hunger Games footage and eventually shows him a performance of “The Ballad of Lucy Gray Baird”, making Haymitch realize Snow’s personal connection to Lucy Gray. Snow ensures that Haymitch understands that any future relationships will be targeted, as proven when Lenore Dove is poisoned after Haymitch’s return to District 12.

Snow makes it clear that Haymitch will never be allowed to love anyone again without consequences, driving Haymitch into isolation and alcoholism.

Lenore Dove is a Covey girl living in District 12. Her mother died in childbirth, and Lenore was raised by her uncles, Tam Amber and Clerk Carmine Clade. She is dating Haymitch.

Lenore loves wearing colorful clothes and always tries to add a splash of color to her outfits. Like other Coveys, she enjoys singing, ballads, and has a wild, untameable spirit.

Lenore Dove is a Covey girl living in District 12. Her mother died in childbirth, and Lenore was raised by her uncles, Tam Amber and Clerk Carmine Clade. She is dating Haymitch.

Lenore loves wearing colorful clothes and always tries to add a splash of color to her outfits. Like other Coveys, she enjoys singing, ballads, and has a wild, untameable spirit.

On the morning of the Reaping, Lenore gives Haymitch a striker she designed, featuring a snake and a long-necked bird merged together.

When Woodbine Chance runs away and is killed, a riot breaks out. Lenore tries to help Woodbine’s mother prevent Peacekeepers from taking his body away. Haymitch intervenes to protect Lenore, leading to Drusilla Sickle reaping Haymitch as Woodbine’s replacement.

Drusilla instructs a Peacekeeper to kill Lenore for her resistance. Plutarch Heavensbee intervenes, insisting that her tears over Haymitch’s reaping would make good television. However, when they reenact the reaping, Lenore refuses to cry for the Capitol’s entertainment. As the reaping concludes, a Peacekeeper tries to handcuff Lenore, but her uncles bribe him to let her go, leading her away down a side road.

Before the train leaves for the Capitol, Lenore goes to a hill nearby, holding the gumdrops that Haymitch sends to her through Sid. Haymitch watches her from the train window.

When Haymitch’s training score of 1 is released, Lenore performs forbidden songs on the reaping stage outside the Justice Building. The performance attracts other discontented kids, leading to her arrest and detention at the Peacekeepers’ base in District 12. Later, Plutarch arranges a phone call between Lenore and Haymitch, during which she tells him she expects to be released the next morning.

However, when Haymitch returns home two weeks later, Lenore is still incarcerated. Her uncles eventually arrange for her release on house arrest, and she goes to graze her geese in the Meadow, where she reunites with Haymitch.

After Haymitch’s victory, President Snow punishes him for his rebellious actions during the Games by having his mother, younger brother Sid, and Lenore Dove killed.

Lenore’s death occurs when Haymitch gives her a gumdrop, believing it to be from a bag he had previously left for Sid to give her. However, he realizes too late that the bag had been replaced with one filled with poisoned gumdrops. The poison kills Lenore.

With her last words, Lenore urges Haymitch “not to let the sun rise on the reaping”. After her death, the Covey buries Lenore in their secret graveyard next to Lucy Gray and Maude Ivory Baird.

According Haymitch Lenore never leaves, her spirit aging with him.

Effie lives at the Capitol. Her sister Proserpina is a student stylist for Hunger Games tributes.

Effie lives at the Capitol. Her sister Proserpina is a student stylist for Hunger Games tributes.

Effie’s sister, Proserpina, is assigned by her school to be part of the prep team for the District 12 tributes competing in the 50th Hunger Games. When their stylist, Magno Stift, doesn’t show up on interview night, Proserpina calls Effie, worried that it will ruin her grade.

Effie then shows up at the apartment to style the tributes herself. Later, when it’s time for Haymitch to be presented as the victor, Effie stands by him, despite his defiance of the Capitol. Haymitch is briefly touched by her support but feels bitter when Effie remarks that the Hunger Games are for the greater good.

Wellie is a girl from District 6.

Wellie is a girl from District 6.

Wellie is reaped for the Hunger Games. Her and the other District 6 tributes hesitate to join the Newcomers.

During lunch at training, the Careers bully Wellie. When Haymitch approaches to befriend her, she warms up to him and apologizes for Louella’s death. Haymitch reassures her that he doesn’t blame District 6 for the chariot crash and gives her Louella’s lunch box to replace the one the Careers ruined. Wellie and the others then decide to join the Newcomers, and Haymitch calls them his “doves”.

Wellie likes the idea of the name “Newcomers” for their alliance, as it shows they aren’t trained like Careers. District 6 sticks with Haymitch. Wellie’s token is an old bicycle bell. Before the Games start, Haymitch tells her he plans to leave the Newcomers to survive on his own, believing the Gamemakers are targeting him. He assures Wellie that he would never hurt her.

On the last day of the Games, Wellie is one of the final three tributes. Haymitch finds Wellie, trying to make her the victor since he knows he’s a lost cause. He leaves her armed with Maysilee’s dart gun, loaded with a single poisoned dart.

When Haymitch returns, he finds Wellie dead, her decapitated body lying in a heap, with Silka Sharp from District 2 holding Wellie’s head in her left hand. Silka claims that Wellie attacked her, but Haymitch notices a poison blow dart hanging harmlessly from Silka’s sleeve, indicating that Wellie tried to defend herself.

Sid is Haymitch’s 10 year old brother.

Sid is Haymitch’s 10 year old brother.

After Haymitch wins the Hunger Games by making the Capitol look foolish, President Snow retaliates by taking everything away from him. As Haymitch arrives back home to District 12, he finds his home burning. Sid and Willamae are inside the house and die in the fire.

Willamae is Haymitch’s mother.

Willamae is Haymitch’s mother.

After Haymitch wins the Hunger Games by making the Capitol look foolish, President Snow retaliates by taking everything away from him. As Haymitch arrives back home to District 12, he finds his home burning. Sid and Willamae are inside the house and die in the fire.

Burdock Everdeen lives in District 12. He is Haymitch’s bestfriend.

Burdock Everdeen lives in District 12. He is Haymitch’s bestfriend.

Burdock Everdeen frequently sneaks into the woods, passing through the fence. When he and Haymitch are 10 years old, Burdock takes Haymitch with him into the woods, where they hear a beautiful voice singing. Following the sound, they find Lenore Dove, who turns out to be Burdock’s cousin.

Burdock has a massive crush on Astrid March, who works at the apothecary.

During the Reaping riot, after Woodbine is killed, Burdock intervenes to protect Otho Mellark by punching his knee to get him on the ground and out of the Peacekeepers’ line of fire.

When Haymitch returns home and finds his family house on fire, Burdock stops him from running into the flames and asks Astrid to soothe Haymitch’s pain. He continues trying to take care of Haymitch during his descent into alcoholism but eventually stops after Haymitch throws a rock at Astrid.

Later, Burdock finds Haymitch wandering the woods, looking for Lenore Dove’s grave. Burdock takes him to the secret Covey graveyard, where Lucy Gray, Maude Ivory, and Lenore Dove are buried.

Burdock eventually marries Astrid, and they have two daughters, Katniss and Primrose. Burdock teaches Katniss survival skills, including swimming and the “Hanging Tree” song.

Asterid March works at the apothecary. She is Maysilee Donner’s best friend.

Asterid March works at the apothecary. She is Maysilee Donner’s best friend.

Astrid March works at the apothecary. Burdock Everdeen regularly visits her, and she gives him a sprig of chamomile for good luck.

When Haymitch returns from the Hunger Games and finds his house and family burning, Astrid gives him sleep syrup to calm him down.

Astrid eventually marries Burdock, and they have two daughters, Katniss and Primrose.

Caesar Flickerman is the host of the Hunger Games. He is responsible for commentating on the games, interviewing the tributes, and following them during their Victory Tour.