The Hunger Games

This is one of the best books I've read in a while! While it is aimed for the young adult market, it is suprisingly mature and well wrote. This is one I wouldn't be surprised to see made into a movie and would do very well as a movie. It is the first in a trilogy, but stands well on its own.


Barnes and Noble - "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. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival."

Dramatis Personae

From District 12

Samantha Droke as Katniss Everdeen- The narrator of the story and the female tribute from District 12. At age 16, Katniss volunteers to enter the 74th Hunger Games after her sister is chosen to be a Tribute. Her father died in a mine explosion; since then, Katniss has become the primary supporter of her mother and younger sister. She gets food by hunting illegally in the forest outside District 12. Because of this, Katniss has strong survivalist instincts, and is a wonderful archer. Katniss has straight black hair, which she normally pulls back into a long braid, olive skin, and gray eyes. She scored an eleven on the survival test.

Michael Welch as Peeta Mellark- The male tribute from District 12. He is the son of the town's baker, and has two older brothers. On live television, Peeta first confesses his lifelong love of Katniss, having had a crush on her since the time he first heard her sing when they were five years old. He is skilled at camouflaging and baking. He's also a wrestler and lifts weights by carrying 50 pound flour bags. Peeta is of medium height, has a stocky build, "ashy blond hair that falls in waves over his forehead", and blue eyes. scored an 8 on the survival test

Alfred Molina as Haymitch -As of the beginning of the book, he is the only living District 12 winner of the Hunger Games. Because of this, he assumes the role of mentor for both of District 12's tributes. Haymitch is, until Peeta and Katniss force him to sober up, a drunk, because of years of training hopeless tributes. He is described as paunchy and middle-aged. During the Games, he "speaks" to Katniss through his giving of gifts, or lack thereof, though he does not do this for Peeta. Katniss finds herself in dislike of Haymitch, but Peeta says that it is only because they are so alike.

Cheryl Hines as Effie Trinket -The Capitol's "representative" to District 12. She is very unhappy with her post because District 12 is the poorest of the districts, and she wishes to be moved to a better District. This results in her consistently making horrible remarks to Katniss and Peeta, while thinking she is being polite. Effie is almost always bright and bubbly, has a "scary" white grin, and wears a bright pink wig.


Talon Torriero as Gale- Katniss's best friend, whom she met while hunting in the forest four years ago (as of the first book). Gale is the oldest child in his family, and also feels responsible for feeding his two brothers and sister. Katniss thinks Gale can have any girl he wants, which she can tell "by the way girls whisper when he walks by in school." Gale has strong opinions about the Capitol, which he often voices to Katniss in the safety of the woods, and which cause him to have a distaste for those who are better off. He has black hair, olive skin, and gray eyes.

Ryan Simpkins as Primrose Everdeen- Katniss Everdeen's sister. She is, against all odds, picked as the female tribute from District 12 at her first reaping, but Katniss volunteers in her place. Prim is described as being very pretty, with a face "fresh as a raindrop, as lovely as the primrose for which she was named." She has a goat named Lady, which her sister got for her, and a cat named Buttercup. Katniss sees that many people have a fondness for her, genuinely liking her. Prim has light hair and blue eyes, unlike most citizens of District 12.


From Other Districts

Jared Leto as Cinna- Katniss's stylist. Cinna, in comparison to the majority of Capitol residents, looks very normal and natural: his hair is "close cropped" and "appears to be its natural shade of brown", and he has green eyes. He requested the lowest District, though as of now, it is not known why. Throughout the novel, he becomes good friends with Katniss.



Elle Fanning as Rue-The female tribute from District 11. She is twelve years old and has dark brown skin and eyes and is about Prim's, Katniss' younger sister, size. She is given a 7 by the Gamekeepers on her survival skills. She is very knowledgable on plants, showing Katniss the leaves that will draw out Tracker Jacker poison, as well as Mockingjays, whom she loves to sing to. She can also jump from tree to tree.


Jesse Plemons as Cato- The male tribute of District 2 and a Career. His age is unknown. He received a 10 from the Gamemakers. He is large and vicious and is excellant with a sword and spear, as well as being very strong.





Danielle Panabaker as Foxface -She is the female tribute for District 5. Her age, real name, and score is unknown. Foxface is a nickname Katniss gives her. She has red hair. She is very clever and craftly, relying on stealing food from other tributes to survive. ß