Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother andyounger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains ofwhat used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war onthe Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, eachdistrict agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annualtelevised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, andlevel of audience participation may change but one thing isconstant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen bylottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.
