By Suzanne Collins, 2008
Teen fiction-fast moving. Set in futuristic North America where the “Capitol” holds the Hunger Games annually as a reminder to the Districts, twelve of them, not to ever rebel again. Two teens from each of 12 districts are drawn in a lottery. These 24 youths are sent to an arena in the Capitol to fight until only one remains. Story focuses on Katniss and Peeta from District 12, the coal-mining district. Peeta has been in love with Katniss since he saw her for the first time at the age of five. She hunts with Gale, a young man, and provides meat for her family-Mom and little sister, Prim. Peeta is the Baker’s son. After much strategy-during the Hunger Games – they change the rules so that Katniss and Peeta can both win-they don’t have to kill each other. Peeta thinks Katniss really loves him, but she was mostly doing that as an act. Or at least she thinks so. To be continued in Book 2, “Catching Fire.”