In the nation of Panem, which was formed from a post-apocalyptic North America, and consisting of a wealthy Capitol and twelve poorer surrounding Districts, a punishment was issued for a previous rebellion against the Capitol. One boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 from each district are selected by an annual lottery (known as the "reaping") to participate in the Hunger Games, an event in which the participants (or "tributes") must fight in an arena controlled by the Capitol until only one remains alive. Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl from the coal-mining region of District 12, volunteers for the 74th annual Hunger Games in place of her younger sister, Primrose. Peeta Mellark, a baker's son who once gave Katniss bread when her family was starving, was also selected.
Katniss and Peeta are taken to the Capitol where their drunken mentor, former victor Haymitch Abernathy, instructs them to watch and learn the talents of the other tributes. During a pre-Games interview with TV personality Caesar Flickerman, Peeta reveals his long-standing, unrequited love for Katniss. Katniss believes this to be a ploy to gain crucial audience support for themselves, as audience members may "sponsor" tributes with gifts of food, medicine, and tools. The Games begins with half of the tributes killed in the first 8 hours, while Katniss relies on her well-practiced hunting and outdoor skills to survive. Peeta forms an alliance with the "Careers", including Cato and Glimmer, to track Katniss, whom they pursue into the woods. Katniss develops an alliance with District 11 tribute Rue, who points out a tracker jacker nest which Katniss uses to kill two of the Careers (Glimmer and the girl from District 4). The alliance is short-lived: Rue is killed by District 1 tribute Marvel, whom Katniss kills in return. At Rue's request, Katniss sings to her as she dies, then spreads flowers over her body. Katniss' televised act of respect sparks a rebellion in District 11.
With Katniss and Peeta established as "star-crossed lovers" - and the Gamemakers trying to avoid inciting further rebellions - a rule change is announced midway through the Games, stating that two tributes from the same district can win the Games as a pair. Upon hearing this, Katniss searches for Peeta and finds him, wounded by a sword. As she nurses him back to health, she portrays herself as deeply in love with Peeta to gain audience favor and sponsorship. When Katniss tries to retrieve medicine for Peeta, Clove attacks her, but Thresh kills Clove for Katniss in memory of Rue. "Foxface" accidentally kills herself eating highly-poisonous nightlock berries. Thresh is killed by Cato after a few days. A pack of hellish "muttations" are released, forcing Katniss and Peeta into Cato's hands. After an intense fight, Katniss shoots Cato with an arrow to save Peeta's life; Cato falls to the muttations, and Katniss shoots him again to end his suffering. The Gamemakers reverse the rule change in an attempt to force Katniss and Peeta into a dramatic duel, where one must kill the other to win. Katniss, betting that the Gamemakers would rather have two victors than none, reveals a cache of nightlock berries and gives Peeta a portion. Upon realizing that Katniss and Peeta intend to commit suicide, the Gamemakers announce that both will be the victors of the 74th Hunger Games.
The head Gamemaker is later locked in a room with only nightlock berries, as execution for failing to produce only one victor. Although she is treated to a hero's welcome in the Capitol, Katniss is warned by Haymitch that she has now become a political target after defying her society's authoritarian leaders so publicly. As Katniss and Peeta return to District 12, President Snow ponders what to do about the joint victors and the rebellion they have started.
With Katniss and Peeta established as "star-crossed lovers" - and the Gamemakers trying to avoid inciting further rebellions - a rule change is announced midway through the Games, stating that two tributes from the same district can win the Games as a pair. Upon hearing this, Katniss searches for Peeta and finds him, wounded by a sword. As she nurses him back to health, she portrays herself as deeply in love with Peeta to gain audience favor and sponsorship. When Katniss tries to retrieve medicine for Peeta, Clove attacks her, but Thresh kills Clove for Katniss in memory of Rue. "Foxface" accidentally kills herself eating highly-poisonous nightlock berries. Thresh is killed by Cato after a few days. A pack of hellish "muttations" are released, forcing Katniss and Peeta into Cato's hands. After an intense fight, Katniss shoots Cato with an arrow to save Peeta's life; Cato falls to the muttations, and Katniss shoots him again to end his suffering. The Gamemakers reverse the rule change in an attempt to force Katniss and Peeta into a dramatic duel, where one must kill the other to win. Katniss, betting that the Gamemakers would rather have two victors than none, reveals a cache of nightlock berries and gives Peeta a portion. Upon realizing that Katniss and Peeta intend to commit suicide, the Gamemakers announce that both will be the victors of the 74th Hunger Games.
The head Gamemaker is later locked in a room with only nightlock berries, as execution for failing to produce only one victor. Although she is treated to a hero's welcome in the Capitol, Katniss is warned by Haymitch that she has now become a political target after defying her society's authoritarian leaders so publicly. As Katniss and Peeta return to District 12, President Snow ponders what to do about the joint victors and the rebellion they have started.
The Hunger Games received a number of awards and honors. It was named one of Publishers Weekly's "Best Books of the Year" in 2008 and a The New York Times "Notable Children's Book of 2008". It was the 2009 winner of the Golden Duck Award in the Young Adult Fiction Category.The Hunger Games was also a "2008 Cybil Winner" for fantasy and science-fiction books along with The Graveyard Book. It also one of School Library Journal's "Best Books 2008" and a "Booklist Editors' Choice" in 2008. In 2011, the book won the California Young Reader Medal.In the 2012 edition of Scholastic's Parent and Child magazine, The Hunger Games was listed as the 33rd best book for children, with the award for "Most Exciting Ending (Google)
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