The Hunger Games

Ohhh the Hunger Games...  This book is full of adventure, friendship, hate, and most of all survival.  We are taken along for the journey of Katniss Everdeen's experience with the Hunger Games and through her eyes we are learning of her experiences with all that is changing every so quickly in her life.  Katniss volunteered as tribute in place of her sister, Primrose, because she could not bear allowing Prim to take part in the games.  This, in the beginning, shows a lot about Katniss's character, she is a very caring individual of the people close to her.  However there are not many people that Katniss is close with, really it is only her sister and best friend, Gale.  She has her guard up with most people because the life she has lived made her callused and standoff-ish.  However once Katniss becomes close with anyone she shows the truest sincerity in her actions and it is obvious that her friendship would be a great one to have.  After the reaping Katniss and Peeta are taken away that day, straight to the capitol to begin the festivities of the Games.  This would be hard for anyone who had to endure this experience but it is especially difficult for Katniss because she fears what will become of her family.  
Once the games began Katniss continues to show her independence in the way she proceeds with her own survival.  However, she becomes very close with another tribute, Rue, from district 11.  Rue and Katniss converse about their own districts and learn a lot about one another.  In district 11 the main job is crop picking, Rue explains that they are not allowed to eat anything they pick for they will be publicly beaten.  This reminds me a lot of slavery and how many migrant workers are treated.  Also, another aspect of Rue's life that reminds me of the migrant workers around the world today is that during the harvest season residents of District 11 are not allowed to go to school.  They spend the entirety of the harvest season working and lose many of the opportunities that they could have if they attend school.  Throughout this period of the games Katniss and Rue develop a comforting friendship, but it is quickly ended when Rue gets killed by other tributes.  This really affects Katniss and she deals with the pain by giving Rue a proper 'funeral' by placing flowers around her body and taking the time to care for her.  This also shows a lot about Katniss, the fact that she is taking the time during a dangerous situation to care for a newly made friend demonstrates that Katniss truly is a caring individual even though the front she puts up seems so tough and selfish in a way.