Summary

The novel The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins begins with Katniss, a 16-year-old girl, on reaping day in District 12. She trespasses into the woods by her house with her friend Gale to hunt, since this is the only way their families will not starve in the poor district where there is never enough food. 

At the reaping, the mayor gives a speech about the Hunger Games. Panem, a country that was once North America, is split into 12 districts and the Capitol. To punish the districts that once rebelled against the Capitol, a teenage boy and a girl are chosen from each district to fight to the death in the Hunger Games until only one remains. 

Katniss’s younger sister, Prim, is chosen as the female tribute from District 12, and Katniss immediately volunteers to go in her place. The male tribute is Peeta Mellark, the baker’s son who once saved Katniss and her family from starving by giving her bread. Before Katniss leaves, Prim makes her promise to try to win the Games, and the mayor’s daughter gives her a pin of a mockingjay bird to wear in the arena. 

On the train to the Capitol, Katniss and Peeta convince Haymitch, their drunken mentor, to sober up enough to help train them for the Games. At the Capitol, Cinna, Katniss’s stylist, dresses Katniss and Peeta in matching black outfits with flaming capes that make them immediately stand ou...