The Hunger Games Tribute Guide (3 page)

“Happy Hunger Games!” she says. “And may the odds be ever in your favor!”

She graciously thanks everyone, smiling and saying what a huge honor it is for her to be here. After showing a film that reviews the history of the Hunger Games — how it began seventy-four years ago, after the Capitol put down the rebellion, and how the Games serve as a reminder to the districts never to rebel again — Effie is ready to pick the names.

“Ladies first!” she says.

She reaches her pale, elegant arm deep into a large glass ball, and rummages around. This action is performed twenty-four times over the course of the day, and each time there is total silence across Panem.

Who will it be this year? The nation holds its breath.

Effie removes her hand. “Primrose Everdeen.”

A slight, blonde twelve-year-old begins to walk forward to accept the honor. But before she can get very far, a voice rings out above the crowd. “Prim!” Dashing forward is a dark-haired girl in a plain blue dress. “I volunteer!” she calls. “I volunteer as tribute!”

This replacement is an especially gripping turn of events because, while volunteers are a common occurrence in Districts 1 and 2, we rarely see them step up in the other districts. A murmur of surprise runs through the crowd as they react to this sudden change of fortunes.

“Ladies and gentleman, what an
exciting
moment!” Effie Trinket exclaims.

As the young woman steps onto the stage, Effie asks the audience for a big round of applause, then introduces this newcomer to Panem. And so Katniss Everdeen becomes the female tribute from District 12. On the reaping day, Katniss doesn’t seem too chatty. But the audience knows she’ll open up for her big interview in the Capitol!

Meanwhile, a handsome, dark-haired young man has to carry little Primrose away from her sister. Viewers around the nation are spellbound by the family drama playing out on the big screen. The young man disappears into the crowd. Sources will not confirm whether he is a friend or a family member.

In the back of the crowd, behind the roped-off area, Katniss’s mother watches silently from the crowd. She also declines to comment.

But now it’s time to choose the male tribute! Effie reaches into another glass ball and snatches a paper slip from the very top.

“Peeta Mellark!”

The new tribute makes his way to the stage. He is of medium height and stocky build, with dirty blond hair that lies in smooth waves. He remains composed as he walks forward.

Though this year’s District 12 male tribute, Peeta Mellark, is initially overshadowed by Katniss’s act of generosity, he’s still someone to look out for in the arena.

The reaping is complete, and Katniss and Peeta now take their places among the twenty-four tributes of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games!