The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Katniss and her family live in District 12 of the land known as Panem, in an area that was once North America. Every year, two "contestants" are chosen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal reminder to each District why the Council is in control.

Katniss knows she's at risk of being chosen--she has put her name into the drawing more than once each year, in order to get extra food for her, her mother, and her younger sister.

But when Prim, Katniss' 12-year old sister, is chosen, Katniss volunteers to go in her place. The other contestant is Peera, the baker's son, a boy Katniss barely knows. They travel to the Central City, to participate in a competition to the death. That is just the beginning of Katniss and Peera's journey through the Hunger Games.

This is the first book in a series, which promises to be full of action, adventure, and some of the darker sides of human nature.