In a dystopian society known as Panem, built on the ruins of North America, 12 Districts lie surrounding the wealthy Capitol. Somewhere outside the electric fence around the poorest district, District 12, a 16-year-old girl, Katniss Everdeen, hunts with her friend Gale. This is illegal of course, but it's better than starving to death. Katniss and Gale hunt nearly every day, but today is different. Today is the Reaping. There was an uprising long ago, 74 years ago in fact, the districts (there were 13 then) against the Capitol. The Capitol won out, obliterated District 13, and put the Hunger Games in place to remind the Districts that they were at their mercy. At the Reaping two kids between the ages of 12 and 18, a boy and a girl from each district, are chosen to compete in the games, where they will each fight to the death against 23 other tributes. This year the girl tribute from District 12 is Primrose Everdeen. Katniss volunteers in her place, saving her sister's life, and pretty much making her own death inevitable. She is tossed into a delicate and ever-changing world of tributes and sponsors with Peeta, the other tribute from District 12 and her new friend. The Hunger Games is not about strength or size, it is about strategy and survival, she cannot win without losing her humanity, but she cannot lose without crushing her sister. She wishes to make a statement, to show the Capitol that she is more than just a piece in their Games, but that means she may never escape the Hunger Games.