Every year, one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen are selected from each of the twelve districts in Panem. These Tributes are taken to the Capitol to train for the Hunger Games, where they become famous — the Games are mandatory viewing for all Panem citizens, but in the Capitol they're also the biggest event of the year. After a week, they enter the arena that's been designed for the Games. The- last tribute left alive is declared a Victor.

[ she rushes the end bit. she thinks her voice would be steadier on the narration if she wasn't thinking of peeta. she'd been snatched from the jaws of the lion before having to go back in, but he hadn't. without her, did he really stand a chance? ]