The Hunger Games

The Hunger games starts on reaping day in district 12. Katniss Everdeen,  the 16 year old narrator sets out with her friend Gale, hoping to do some hunting and gathering before the reaping that afternoon. As Katniss makes her way from her home, to the meadow and, finally to the woods where people are forbidden to go, we learn about Katniss’ life in the impoverished part of her district, the seam and her family. Her little sister Prim, who is 12, and her mother, both of whom have depended on Katniss for survival ever since Katniss father dies in a mine explosion 5 years earlier.

The reaping is a grim, nerve-wracking time because it determines which boy and girl, ages 12-18 will serve as the districts tributes in that years hunger games. Two tributes are chosen in each of the 12 districts, and those tributes are sent to an arena where the tributes fight until only one is left. The winner gets to return home, and that district is showered with gifts – namely food. The games which are put together by the capitol are meant to punish the 12 districts of panem as well as to remind them of the dark days, and how the 13th district was decimated for its uprising against the tyrannical and cruel capitol. Against all odds, Prim's name is selected at the reaping. Katniss volunteers to take the place of her younger sister and becomes District 12's girl tribute for the 74th Hunger Games.

Despite the lack of imagery in some parts of the book, the book is amazing. The overall story is heart wrenching, and makes you despise the cruel and heartless capitol of Panem. Once your read one page of the book, you wont be able to stop until the absolute finish. It is a suspenseful and very complex story and plot twist. An absolute must read for those addicted to page turners.     

Book Review by Aaron B.