Once I'm on my feet, I realize escape might not be so simple.
Panic begins to set in. I can't stay here.
Flight is essential.
But I can't let my fear show.
Somewhere in the ruins of North America, there are a total of twelve districts in the nation of Panem which surround the Capitol. Every year, the Capitol hosts the Hunger Games. On a day called the Reaping, a boy and a girl from each district are chosen to participate in the Hunger Games . The twenty-four participants fight to the death on live TV. The Capitol chooses the setting and has complete control over the elements.
Katniss Everdeen is a sixteen-year-old girl in District 12 where conditions are hard for her and her family. She lives with her mother and sister in the Seam of District 12. Katniss is tough. She has provided food for her family since her father died in a mining accident. She hunts illegally with her friend, Gale. He is a couple of years older than Katniss and is single-handedly taking care of a family of five. I admit, I have a bit of a crush on Gale.
On the day of the Reaping, Katniss's little sister, Prim, is chosen for the Hunger Games. There is a rule in which a person may volunteer to take someone's place. Katniss quickly volunteers. Peeta, a boy the same age as Katniss who she knows from school, is chosen to represent District 12 as well. Katniss earliest remembrance of Peeta is when he purposely burned some bread in his parents' bakery so he could give it to Katniss who was rummaging through garbage cans outside. I admit, I have a bit of a crush on Peeta as well. They are thrust into the Hunger Games and I think you will be suprised by the outcome.
This book is fabulous. It is well-written and I can't wait for the next one in the series to come out this fall. On a very superficial level, this is reality TV gone extremely wrong. On a deeper level, this is an example of how a person is able to remain human, even when terrible things are happening all around them. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
