The Hunger Games trilogy facts for kids

The Hunger Games is a popular series of three books written by Suzanne Collins. These books tell the exciting story of a brave girl named Katniss Everdeen and her journey through a dangerous competition called the Hunger Games.

What Happens in The Hunger Games?

In the story, Katniss Everdeen, who is 16 years old, volunteers to take her younger sister Prim's place in the Hunger Games. Prim is only 12 and very weak, so Katniss wants to protect her. The Hunger Games are a yearly competition held in the nation of Panem. Panem is a country that used to be the United States.

The Rules of the Games

Panem is split into 12 different areas called Districts. Every year, each District must send one boy and one girl, aged 12 to 18, to compete. These young people are called "tributes." The rules of the games are simple but harsh: the tributes must fight each other until only one person is left alive. This last person becomes the winner.

Why the Games Started

The Hunger Games began after a big war called the Dark Years. During this war, the Districts rebelled against the Capitol, which is the main city of Panem. The Districts lost the war, and the Capitol won. The games are a way for the Capitol to show its power and remind the Districts who is in charge.

Life After Winning

If a tribute wins the Hunger Games, they get to live in a special village in their home District. They also receive money and valuable items. Plus, their family will not have to send anyone else to the games again.

Life in Panem's Districts and Capitol

Life is very different for people in the Districts compared to those in the Capitol. People in the Capitol are very rich and do not have to work hard. They live a life of luxury. In most Districts, people work very hard and are not rich. However, Districts 1, 2, and 4 are exceptions; people there are usually better off.

The 74th Hunger Games

In the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, both 16 years old from District 12, become the last two tributes. They trick President Snow, the leader of Panem, by threatening to eat poisonous berries called nightlocks. These berries kill very quickly. President Snow needs a winner to keep the people in the Capitol and Districts from rebelling, so he lets both Katniss and Peeta win.

Other Tributes in the 74th Games

Many other tributes competed in the 74th Hunger Games. Some of the main ones included:

• Marvel (from District 1)
• Glimmer (from District 1)
• Cato (from District 2)
• Clove (from District 2)
• Foxface (from District 5)
• Thresh (from District 11)
• Rue (from District 11)

At the end of the first book, Katniss and Peeta return home to District 12. Seneca Crane, who was in charge of the games, is later eliminated by President Snow using nightlocks because of how the games ended.

Main Characters

• Katniss Everdeen - She is the main character and a very skilled hunter. She volunteers for the Hunger Games to protect her sister.
• Peeta Mellark - He is another main character from District 12 who competes in the Hunger Games with Katniss.
• President Snow - He is the powerful and often cruel leader of Panem and the person who organizes the Hunger Games.

See also

In Spanish: Serie de Los juegos del hambre para niños