**Lucy Gray Baird**
*The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes*, a prequel to *The Hunger Games*. A tribute from District 12 and the winner of the tenth Hunger Games, Lucy Gray is remembered for her unique personality and artistry, as well as her survival skills. Through her story, Collins explores themes of power, performance, freedom, and the blurred lines between truth and falsehood.Lucy Gray was born in District 12 and grew up as a member of a small, formerly nomadic musical group called the Covey. The Covey lived on the fringes of society, making their living through performance and music rather than mining, which set them apart from most of the district's inhabitants. From a young age, Lucy Gray learned to sing, play instruments, and captivate audiences by telling stories through song. Music was not only her livelihood but also her way of understanding the world and maintaining her identity in a society that sought to erase it.Her life changed forever when she was chosen as the female tribute from Dist...