The Hunger Games, By Suzanne Collins

The plot of The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is an interesting read because it gives the reader a sense of how it is to live in a dystopian future through the lenses of Katniss Everdeen, the main protagonist. In Panem, the new name for the United States of America, lies 12 districts, each helping the Capitol. We start the story in District 12, the poorest. Katniss Everdeen, a 17-year-old girl, lives with her widow mother and younger sister. We see the story through Katniss’s eyes. We learn that the Capitol is strict towards the other districts and that each year, they pick 2 children from each district to fight to the death in The Hunger Games, until one remains. Katniss’s sister, Primrose, gets drawn to compete but Katniss volunteers as tribute. This small action starts the flame to the story of Katniss Everdeen.

Rue helps Katniss escape from the Careers, a group made up of Districts 1, 2, and 3. Katniss eventually teams up with Rue and cares for her as she reminds Katniss of Primrose. Near the end of the story, Rue is killed and Katniss sings her to her death. However, because of who Rue is and what she represented, Katniss decides to do something to hold the Capitol accountable for her death. She decorates Rue’s body with wildflowers and whistles Rue’s 3 note song, and says goodbye. This small, respectable action is what leads the story into the