In the ruins of what use to be the United States of America, is the country of Panem. Divided into 12 desperately poor districts and the capital where all the wealth is concentrated. Panem holds an annual ritual called the Hunger Games. Created as a reminder to the districts that rebelling against the Capital is useless, the Hunger Gamers require that every year each district must put the names of every boy and girl between ages of 12 and 18 into a bowl. A boy and girl are chosen and they will represent their district in the games. The 24 Chosen will fight to the death on national television. 16 year-old Kitness has provided for her mother and younger sister ever since her father died. She sneaks out of the fence and hunts for food to eat and to sell on the black market. On the day names are chosen for the Hunger Gamers, Ktiness hears not her name but her sister's. She knows her gentle and young sister, Prim, would not survive the game and so she volunteers to take Prim's place. The boy chosen is the baker's son Peeta. Peeta has had a secret crush on Kitness for years. Peeta declares his feelings right before they enter the arena. Kitness wonders if she can handle friendship, loyalty and, even love when her very survival is in questions. The games are so tense and brutal that you feel compelled to keep reading to see who will live to fight another day. This is an edge of your seat, can't-stop-reading book that I highly recommend.