Comments on: What Age Is Appropriate to Read The Hunger Games?

By: Kerry Aradhya

Kerry Aradhya — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 21:37:04 +0000

What an interesting discussion! Realized it happened a while ago, but so glad I found this! My 11.5-year-old read the first book recently, after her classmates and teachers began discussing it at school. Now my 9.5-year-old, who is an avid reader, is clamoring to read it as well. These comments are helping a lot as I mull over my decision, and I’m realizing that either decision I make will probably be ok in the long run 🙂

By: Rachael Nicole

Rachael Nicole — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 22:33:21 +0000

I was introduced to The Hunger Games when my English teacher read it to us in the 5th grade. I know she censored some choice words when reading to us, because you could tell by the look on her face, but at that time nobody thought it was beyond the mental capacity of us 5th graders. (or too graphic for us, either, I guess)
At first I was really opposed to it and I didn’t want to read it when our teacher gave us the choice of The Hunger Games or Cryptid Hunter (by Roland Smith; a very good but much less mature book). I went home and complained to my parents that they were reading us this gross evil murderous crap and they were mad too (haha). But the teacher read it anyways. And everyone fell in love with it.
Looking back I could see how it could have went over most of my class’s heads, but it didn’t. Maybe because the teacher read it to us and there was more time to reflect on what happened. I know I always understood the political side of things in the book. And then in the 6th grade, when Catching Fire and Mockingjay were in the English teacher’s libraries, there was a waiting list for them. Sometimes it was pages long, because everyone loved The Hunger Games. (on a sidenote- I don’t understand why everyone says Catching Fire is boring? I read it in two days because I couldn’t put it down)
The Hunger Games doesn’t teach any bad moral lessons and manages to have an enthralling romance with maybe five or six kisses in the entire trilogy and not even an almost-sex scene.
It’s understandable for parents to freak out when they hear that it’s about a bunch of kids murdering each other, but relax, parents, it’s really not what you think. (I’m 17, by the way, so you know it’s not a 12-year-old writing this)

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 00:07:01 +0000

In reply to Jonah Lisa Dyer.

What fantastic resulting discussions! Yes, if a child is excited about it, I am with you.

I think the only time I would stop a child is if they aren’t comprehending. The teacher in me wants to make sure that they don’t waste their time in a too-challenging book, get frustrated, and either develop a fake reading habit or lose their sense of efficacy. I tell students to put it on the next-year pile.

Thanks for the comment!

By: Jonah Lisa Dyer

Jonah Lisa Dyer — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 20:29:06 +0000

I went through this decision a few years ago. My son was 7, and a very precocious reader, when he first started begging to read The Hunger Games. I had read (and loved) them so I was very familiar with the subject matter. I hemmed and hawed and asked lots of opinions of family, friends and teachers and then I ran across an article about censoring reading by Judy Blume. It’s really good. Google it. She basically says she doesn’t think you should do it. If a kid is excited to read something, let them. Period. Yes, some of it will go over their head. No, they will not understand the nuances. But if it’s too much for them, they will also put it down on their own. I have found this to be absolutely true. I ended up trying to “redirect” his attention to similar but younger books but vowed that the next time he asked I would tell him yes. He ended up reading it at 8 and he LOVED IT. Along with Percy Jackson, it is his all time favorite book series. He asked about some things and it definitely lead to some cool discussions about the Roman Empire and our reality TV culture.

By: Astounded 5th Grader

Astounded 5th Grader — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 13:08:36 +0000

I just read the first book and am astounded by all of the reviews that say that you should be a teen to read the books. Now, i can understand the movie, i don`t think that you should see that for real, death, betrayal, and pure hatred till at least age 14. I`m 10 and i can perfectly comprehend all of the details of the book. Even though i am an advanced reader, reading the whole Harry Potter series in the first 3 weeks of my third grade year, i think that most kids the age of 9 and up could very easily comprehend this without too much parental consultation or questioning. With this in mind, you may decide to let your preteens read it a bit earlier than you would normally allow them to read it. Although, depending on your kids age and maturity, you still need to set your own guidelines. Thank you for reading this and please,please take what i have said into consideration when setting those guidelines.

By: Al

Al — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 02:36:00 +0000

Arthur Ashe and Me. A strong female protagonist and a good story. Enjoy!

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 20:41:12 +0000

In reply to Hannah Harnage. thanks, Hannah!

By: Hannah Harnage

Hannah Harnage — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 22:05:00 +0000

Actually most fifth graders know more than you think. Most people underestimate us, but we can understand a lot. I can understand most adult things like finances, taxes, and more. I am ten.