The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

by Suzanne Collins

“District Twelve. Where you can starve to death in safety,”

It means thanks, it means admiration, it means good-bye to someone you love.

“I’m sure they didn’t notice anything but you. You should wear flames more often,”

You don’t forget the face of the person who was your last hope.

“She’s excellent,” says Peeta. “My father buys her squirrels. He always comments on how the arrows never pierce the body. She hits every one in the eye. It’s the same with the rabbits she sells the butcher. She can even bring down deer.”

Just Peeta showing off his wife

“She has no idea. The effect she can have.”

It’s weird, how much he’s noticed me. Like the attention he’s paid to my hunting. And apparently, I have not been as oblivious to him as I imagined, either. The flour. The wrestling. I have kept track of the boy with the bread.

Although if I’m going to lose, I’d rather Peeta win than the others.

They’re already taking my future! They can’t have the things that mattered to me in the past!”

I want to see the sky and the moon on the last night that no one will be hunting me.

“I don’t want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I’m not.”

Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to . . . to show the Capitol they don’t own me. That I’m more than just a piece in their Games,”

“Okay, but within that framework, there’s still you, there’s still me,”

I’m overwhelmed by the thought that Peeta may be already lost,