Discussion Questions: (taken from http://www.alamancelibraries.org/fileadmin/alamance/Library/docs/Resources_for_Readers/YA_BC_Discussion_Questions/LIB-YABC-Hunger_Games_Discussion__Questions-FEB142011-MS.pdf

1. Is the reaping fair? Does the practice of tesserae have a significant effect on the outcome of the reaping? Would you accept tesserae so that your family could have more food?

2. Were you surprised when Prim’s name was the one drawn during the reaping? Why did Katniss volunteer to take Prim’s place? Would you voluntarily enter the Games to save your brother or sister?

3. Why don’t the citizens of Panem speak out against the Games? Do you think any of the citizens enjoy watching the games? Would you watch?

4. Describe Katniss’ relationship with Gale. Are they in love?

5. The day of the reaping, Katniss tells Gale that she never wants to have children. Is it just the Games that make her feel this way? Why do you think the citizens of Panem continue to have children knowing that those kids will one day face the reaping?

6. Why does Katniss say about Peeta, “I feel like I owe him something, and I hate owing people.” How does her early encounter with Peeta affect their relationship after they are chosen as tributes?

7. How does the fact that the tributes are always on camera affect their behavior from the time they are chosen? Does knowledge that they’re always being watched make it easier or harder for them to accept their fate?

8. What does Haymitch mean when he says, “It’s all a big show. It’s all how you’re perceived.” Why do the tributes need to impress potential sponsors? What are those sponsors looking for when they are watching the Games?

9. When Peeta declares his love for Katniss in the interview, does he really mean it or did Haymitch create the “star-crossed lovers” story? Why would Peeta lie about being in love with Katniss?

10. Before the Games start, Peeta tells Katniss, “…I want to die as myself…I don’t want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I’m not.” What does this tell you about Peeta? What does he fear more than death? Is he able to stay true to himself during the Games?

11. Why does Katniss ignore Haymitch’s advice to head directly away from the Cornucopia? Did she do the right thing to fight for equipment? Which of her skills prove to be the most valuable in the arena?

12. Why does Peeta join with the Career Tributes in the beginning of the Games? What does he hope to gain? Why do they accept him when they start hunting as a group? Why do groups form in the beginning when they know only one of them will be able to survive?

13. What makes Katniss and Rue trust each other to become partners? What does Katniss gain from this friendship besides companionship? Is Katniss and Rue’s partnership formed for different reasons than the other groups’?

14. Discuss the ways in which the Gamemakers control the environment and “entertainment” value of the Games. How does it affect the tributes to know they are being manipulated to make the Games more exciting for the gamblers and viewers? Does knowing that she is on live TV make Katniss behave differently than she would otherwise?

15. When does Katniss first realize that Peeta does care for her and is trying to keep her alive? When does she realize her own feelings for him? Did Haymitch think all along that he could keep them both alive by stressing the love story? Are they actually in love?

16. Do you think Katniss and Peeta are the same people at the end of the games as they were when they stepped into the arena? How have they changed? Why did they survive?

17. What do you think is the cruelest part of the Games? What kind of people would devise this spectacle for the entertainment of their populace?