In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Twelve year old Rue regeards it as a death sentence when her name is drawn and no one volunteers to save her life. Rue must fight against an old friend, make an alliance, or lose her life... May the odds be ever in Rue's favor.. The games begin in 5.... 4.... 3.... 2... 1!