One Hunger Games fan theory suggests that Suzanne Collins' prequel novel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, has Lucy Gray related to Katniss Evergreen. The novel takes place decades before the events of The Hunger Games trilogy, following future President Coriolanus Snow's involvement in the tenth Hunger Games as a mentor to the District 12 tribute. Although the Everdeen family is never mentioned in the book, several fun Easter eggs in the story have led to fan speculation that Katniss may be related to one of its characters.

Coriolanus' tribute, Lucy Gray Baird, stole hearts in the Capitol with her beautiful singing, just like another future Hunger Games character. Lucy Gray's people, the Covey, used to travel throughout Panem performing before they were forced to settle down in District 12. The book's description of their home has many parallels to where Katniss used to live in her home District, but that's far from the only similarity. The Covey's survival skills and talents make it possible that one of them is Katniss' ancestor.

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The Katniss Hunger Games Prequel Theory

A popular Hunger Games theory connects Katniss to Lucy Gray's cousin, Maude Ivory Baird. Maude Ivory was about eight or nine years old during The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and performed in the Hob with other Covey members. Little is known about her since the novel focused on Lucy Gray, but she remarked on her cousin's impressive memory: "One hearing's all my cousin Maude Ivory needs. That child never forgets anything with a tune." Katniss shared a similar ability to pick up songs quickly and repeatedly sang tunes that the Covey had performed, most notably "The Hanging Tree," which Katniss learned from her father.

Katniss and the Covey both have strong associations with Mockingjays — the Covey liked to sing with the birds, and Katniss' dad used to enjoy singing back and forth with them. The Covey's bending of the rules by sneaking out to relax by the lake or hunt could also connect them to Katniss. So, could Maude Ivory be Katniss' grandmother? Maude is the likeliest Covey related to Katniss because of her singing talent. The only other notable Covey who could sing was Lucy Gray, whose fate remained unknown at the end of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Unlike Lucy, who fled District 12 and was presumed dead, Maude Ivory stayed behind. When she grew up, it's possible that she fell in love and gave birth to a son who would one day be Katniss' father. The Hunger Games prequel novel does not reveal how well known the Covey's knowledge of music and hunting was throughout District 12 or if those skills pertained to them alone. If the latter is true, Katniss' ancestry can likely be traced back to the group.

The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes Can Clear Up The Theory

Suzanne Collins has never confirmed the theory labeling Maude Ivory Baird as Katniss' grandmother, but it's possible that the upcoming film adaptation of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will dive deeper into this idea, perhaps retroactively confirming the theory. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes takes place 64 years before the events of Katniss Evergreen's Hunter Games movie. It is very unlikely that Lucy made it out of the story alive, and this leaves the door open for only Maude Ivory to be Katniss' grandmother - making Lucy Gray related to Katniss and trying the two stories together even more than they already are.

While Collins never said one way or the other that there was a connection between the families, the movie has more reason to try. Hollywood is already connecting the two movies, with the prequel's trailers focusing a great deal on a young Snow. However, if Katniss is a descendant of the Covey family, that could be a nice way to put a bow on the prequel, bringing fans of the originals back when they realize there is more connection than just the loathed future President. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes hits theaters on November 17, 2023, and that is when fans might learn the truth about Maude Ivory and Katniss.