Chapter 1: The Reaping
Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12 of Panem, a nation that was once the United States. The Capitol, located in the ruins of Denver, Colorado, controls the districts with an iron fist. As punishment for a past rebellion, the Capitol forces each district to send two tributes, one boy and one girl, to participate in the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death.
Chapter 2: The Tribute
On Reaping Day, Katniss volunteers to take Prim's place as the District 12 girl tribute after her sister's name is drawn. Peeta Mellark, the baker's son, is chosen as the boy tribute.
Chapter 3: The Capitol
Katniss and Peeta are taken to the Capitol, where they are trained and styled for the Games. They meet their mentor, Haymitch Abernathy, a former victor who won the Games 24 years ago.
Chapter 4: The Arena
The tributes are sent into the arena, a vast forest filled with traps and dangers. Katniss uses her hunting skills to gather food and stay alive. She forms an alliance with Rue, a young tribute from District 11.
Chapter 5: The Alliance
Katniss and Rue work together to evade the other tributes. However, Rue is killed by Marvel, a tribute from District 2. Katniss vows to avenge Rue's death.
Chapter 6: The Tracker Jackers
Katniss is stung by tracker jackers, venomous wasps. She is rescued by Cato, a tribute from District 2, but she suspects he is only using her as a pawn.
Chapter 7: The Cornucopia
The tributes gather at the Cornucopia, a giant horn-shaped structure filled with supplies. Katniss and Peeta manage to escape the chaos with a backpack full of weapons and food.
Chapter 8: The Fire
Katniss sets fire to the supplies at the Cornucopia, provoking the other tributes to attack each other. She uses this opportunity to flee into the forest.
Chapter 9: The Feast
The Capitol announces a feast with supplies for all the tributes. Katniss knows it is a trap, but she goes anyway to retrieve some medicine for Peeta, who has been poisoned.
Chapter 10: The Mockingjay
Katniss is surrounded by the other tributes at the feast, but she is saved by the mockingjays, songbirds that mimic the sounds of their surroundings. The mockingjays distract the tributes, allowing Katniss to escape.
Chapter 11: The Final Battle
Katniss and Peeta are the last two tributes standing. The Capitol announces that they will both be declared winners if they kill each other. Katniss and Peeta refuse and threaten to take poisonous berries, forcing the Capitol to change the rules and declare them both victors.
Chapter 12: The Epilogue
Katniss and Peeta return to District 12 as heroes. However, the Capitol is furious at their defiance, and Katniss knows that their lives will never be the same. The book ends with Katniss reflecting on the sacrifices she has made and the hope that remains for the future of Panem.