**The Hunger Games** is a dystopian novel by Suzanne Collins set in a future North America called Panem, where the Capitol forces each district to send a boy and girl to compete in a televised death match. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister's place and, alongside fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark, navigates the deadly arena using her hunting skills and wits. The two form an alliance and face a series of dangerous challenges, using their resourcefulness and determination to survive the brutal competition.