This book will change your entire perspective of life. Katniss, at the age of only sixteen, is the main resource for food and money in her family. With her father dead, her family living in the poorest place in District Twelve and her mother and sister too sensitive to hunt, she becomes the head of the family. Life is manageable for her; she has a good hunting partner (Gale), she earns money from a black market and she has the skills and training to live in the Seam. However, when the Hunger Games rolls around, all hope is lost. The Hunger Games, a deadly competition where 24 tributes aged 12 to 18 fight to the death to maintain the peace and rule of the Capitol among Panem after the "Dark Days". Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by thirteen districts(well... twelve now), each known for their resource. Seventy-four years back, the districts rebelled against the Capitol and the end result was horrid. District Thirteen was completely wiped out, the remaining twelve under complete and total control of the Capitol. To keep the so called "harmony", The Hunger Games began to show the Districts that the Capitol will always be the ruler. When Katniss's one and only sister is reaped for the games, Katniss has no choice but to volunteer. What follows is an epic battle between the tributes and Katniss. Thrilling, horrifying and dangerous, Katniss realizes that she more than a piece in the Games, she is the Games's mockingjay.