Interesting! This must be a futures book...when North America is ... no longer as we know it. There is the Capitol (which sounds like it's somewhere around the Rockies), surrounded by 12 Districts (which reach as far away as the SE states). The Capitol rules. Most Districts are...beyond poverty. Many people die of starvation. Katniss has been in charge of the family (her mom and younger sister) since her dad was blown up in a coal mining accident. She's gone outside the "fence" to hunt...trading her catches and gatherings for food at the GOB. Once a year the Capitol holds a "reaping" in which one boy and one girl from each District is reaped from a large drum holding their names. They will go to the arena of the Hunger Games (a day and 1/2 away for Katniss - @ 250 mph on a train), where only one survivor will come out. Out of 24 teens (age requirements 11 to 18), only one will go back home - but to great wealth, never having to worry about being hungry or desolate again. Katniss has grown stronger than most with her hunting...can she win? Well written - 378 pages of easy, fast flowing reading.

I got this book from Camilla, who got it from someone else. I wanted to get a BCID# on it, but I need to return it. Hopefully, people will check in.