Catching Fire
discussion
What age should read the Hunger Games?
Kenna wrote: "I read the Hunger Games when I was 11. When I read it, I never thought it was innapropraite or "too mature". People need to get that 11 year olds are basically teenagers in the mind, and are not ch..."I have a little sister that just turned thirteen and is very mature for her age and I still believe that the book should not be read until they can understand the themes entirely. I do not say that 13+ is the minimum because I'm never around eleven and twelve year olds but because I am.
My sister hasn't even read the books yet and won't until she believes she can comprehend them entirely and she has made this decision herself. The question here shouldn't be "When can a child not be harmed by reading these books" so much as it should be "When can a young adult read these books and gain anything from them" I have talked to twelve year olds and younger who have read these books and hated them because though they understood a few basic things they didn't understand the true point of the books.
Because these books have been advertised towards a younger audience main points have been misunderstood and The Hunger Games has been thought of as a book simply about killings and used for pure entertainment.
Having read the books instead of passing them off for what they seem I found the deep moral complexities packed inside and themes that really should be explored by more people.
Though I doubt reading these books will hurt all (or any) kids under the intended age group I believe that not comprehending them might keep the books away from the age group that actually needs and understands them. It would be a much wiser choice to just wait to read these books or to have an adult read the books with them.
I still think you're underestimating the maturity of some 11 year olds as others have said. I read these books when I was eleven and I believe that I understood the depth of it. I agree that some people of 11 years old would read it, see the competition and the danger and nothing else but not all.
I don't think you should read it to your four year old before he/she goes to bed but people of any age can read it, if they don't want to they will put it down. Although it does have death and fighting in it.
I don't think there's anything wrong with this book for preteens. The violence is no worse than what's on TV or in movies or in real life news stories. The concept and themes makes you think (which to me is good for kids to do once in a while). And the "romance" wasn't the main focus of the story, even though some kids only saw that. At least it was an appropriate on. Look at the high school books they read now. I read Brave New World and Lord of the Flies, along with others. They all make you ponder things, and The Hunger Games is no worse. I think parents and guardians should just be open and discuss this stuff with kids, to stimulate the brain and keep good communication.
I think if you are mature or capable to understand the book and if you want a challenge go for it. I read the Hunger Games when I was 11 years old.
10 they think it's a good book11 they understand it
12 they read it
I read the Hunger Games Series at the age of 13. Although, I believe that it depends on the readers maturity. However, I do recommend it for teenagers, instead of young children.
10+ I would say, but it mostly just depends on their maturity level.
I read it in fifth grade, when I was 11. I think when a child should read this book really depends on who it is though, I was a very above average reader and critical thinker. I don't really think its so horrific no one under 13 should read it, its not exactly a terribly hard book to read. Even if someone doesn't really understand it when they first read it doesn't mean they shouldn't read a book. I started to read Twilight two months before my 10th birthday, I didn't really understand or appreciate what was going on but I reread it again 2 months after I first finished the series and I understood it, I was a better reader. Reading a challenging book that someone might not yet have the depth to understand yet should be taken as a learning experience, it should not be discouraged even if it is a BIG leap from someones comfort zone. If an eight year old wants to read it then let them, they'll probably reread it when they're 12 or 13 and understand it better, or they might just keep reading it again and again until it is crystal clear and they really appreciate the depth and meaning of the book.
Kids will "understand" it. There is no advanced language, so even though you may wish that they don't understand the fact that bad things exist, they will. Just know if violence scares your kid. If it does, definitely wait. I would recommend about 10 if they have no problem with violence.
"I have a little sister that just turned thirteen and is very mature for her age and I still believe that the book should not be read until they can understand the themes entirely." But you have to understand, they can understand the themes. Maybe you wish they couldn't, but they really can.
Nicole wrote: " "I have a little sister that just turned thirteen and is very mature for her age and I still believe that the book should not be read until they can understand the themes entirely." But you have to understand, they can understand the themes. Maybe you wish they couldn't, but they really can."
Why would I wish they couldn't? I wish they could. That is my main problem with younger kids reading them. Because younger kids are reading them so much right now that things in the books are being misunderstood. By all means I wish they could understand the themes, but they can't if the themes keep being mistranslated. And why are the themes mistranslated? Because most younger kids misunderstand them since they have no one to point of main themes and conflicts inside and then unintentionally twist the message when they talk with other kids who might have otherwise understood them. I am not saying that anyone under the age of thirteen can not understand the message at all, only that because so many people do misunderstand it if they do not have the help of an adult that can guide them through it then they will get the wrong message out of it.
I read the books at sixteen and because so many people had twisted the message I too had a little trouble with getting certain symbolism. I would have missed certain things entirely if my mom was reading the books with me and we could have discussions about it.
I am not trying to put down pre-teens at all, and to tell you the truth I would be the last person to do so because people always told me that I couldn't understand things that I actually could. I am just saying that there are kids that can understand them, but they don't because of the ones who don't get it and effect what the few who could understand them do see.
I also understand there is a lot of comparing these books to other distopian literature such as 1984. They say that the Hunger Games will be good for kids because even if they understand some of it they will come out the better for what they have read. But the truth is that these books are being marketed as romance and entertainment books, so often that the kids who read the books don't even see what it really is unless someone helps them to understand. That is the only reason I say that it is best for kids 13+, not because it will traumatize them, but because they will only see it as a book romanticizing kids killing each other until someone shows them that there is more to it than that or they are mature enough to discover that for themselves.
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Cassie 'The Thinker Go Go Go Go' Mis. Roben Goodfellow'\Isabelle Lightwood
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what?? there marking them as Romance and entertainment?? yes i can see where they might do the entertainment thing and all that. but really? Romance?!! these books are the farithest thing from Romance ever! even if there is that whole "star crossed lovers" thing going for them. but....just really??! no thats just wrong!
Cassie wrote: "what?? there marking them as Romance and entertainment?? yes i can see where they might do the entertainment thing and all that. but really? Romance?!! these books are the farithest thing from Roma..."I completely agree with you there. There is almost no romance in them but still a lot of people actually think they are romance novels. I don't know why. But truth is that I have actually had people tell me that they only read the books for the "romance". It's crazy!
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Cassie 'The Thinker Go Go Go Go' Mis. Roben Goodfellow'\Isabelle Lightwood
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Katinka wrote: "Cassie wrote: "what?? there marking them as Romance and entertainment?? yes i can see where they might do the entertainment thing and all that. but really? Romance?!! these books are the farithest ..."*smack on the forehead!!* Okay someone please tell me how you think this is Romance! caz im just not getting that. besides the few kisses that she shared with Petta in one and two but still thats NOTHING!!!!! and then some with Gale in book three. but AGAIN THATS NOTHING!!!!!!! what is wrong with thouse people?!!
Wow, I feel almost prudish reading these responses - and believe me, there are VERY few people who would describe me as prudish. Having listened to the audiobooks as an adult, these are very mature themes and situations. Perhaps the 11/12 year olds who read it missed them? I mean we're talking alcoholism, prostitution and of course the nitty gritty of the actual hunger games.
Vivid Light ~ ♥♥ wrote: "Depends on the maturity of the kid and what they have/can be exposed to. There's no language or sexuality in the books so..."There are sexual situations in the second book - the women who prostitute themselves to the 12's police to get food, for example.
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Cassie 'The Thinker Go Go Go Go' Mis. Roben Goodfellow'\Isabelle Lightwood
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Tammie wrote: "Vivid Light ~ ♥♥ wrote: "Depends on the maturity of the kid and what they have/can be exposed to. There's no language or sexuality in the books so..."There are sexual situations in the second boo..."
But thats not really "sexual" its more like..well just taking a unaforms in ordder to stay alive. And not get chought excaping in the prossass.
Katinka wrote: "Nicole wrote: " "I have a little sister that just turned thirteen and is very mature for her age and I still believe that the book should not be read until they can understand the themes entirely."..."Our school takes it's pupils of 11 years old to a slave trade museum. And we understand the brutality and suffering of the slaves and the fact that the European government all owned enslaved people or had shares in slave trading and that is just one of the many reasons why the slave trade continued for so many years. And that the equality in rights between between white people and black people had strong roots in the slave trade etc. Now this may just be our school, but even at that age we can understand the themes fully. And anyone who watches les mis sees something of prostitution. The majority of 11 year olds (or people that I knew when I was eleven) would understand it all. But I suppose that could just be the people I know, I just really think you're underestimating people...
I think it just depends on how mature they are. If you can read it, you're probably old enough to read it,
Kenna wrote: "I read the Hunger Games when I was 11. When I read it, I never thought it was innapropraite or "too mature". People need to get that 11 year olds are basically teenagers in the mind, and are not ch..."I agree. Before I was TEN I had read eragon. The "maturity" of any book I have read has not bothered me. If it cusses a lot or is generally inappropriate, I wouldn't want to read it in the first place.
I would say the minimum age to read this book should be 12.
We actually had this discussion with my librarian the other day. We both agree that to understand the theme it works best for middle school age (11-14). We had a book club round table discussion with students and I will say that the 6th graders had different insight that the 8th graders. I think that it depends on what you want the child to gain from the book. If you think that is just for entertainment, then 11-ish. If you want to have a critical thinking analysis then I would wait for another year.
Cassie wrote: "13+ seeing as even at twelve they might not understand most of it, and if they do it could make them really upset about the whole thing. At least if your 13 or older you would understand it better."I read it age 12 but could have read it 11 (or even ten)
Kenna wrote: "I read the Hunger Games when I was 11. When I read it, I never thought it was innapropraite or "too mature". People need to get that 11 year olds are basically teenagers in the mind, and are not ch..."You are summing up my thoughts exactly. At age eleven I was reading things worse than the hunger games and I am find...
I think any age that wants to I started reading the series in 3rd grade and if I didn't read it I would of still hated reading so about any age
I recommend about 12 for the first book, because of violence and the younger audiences may not like romance. xD For Catching Fire and Mockingjay I recommend 13 for a few minor suggestive content.
I didn't get the chance to read them when I was younger, because they weren't out yet, but my 10 year old sister read the Harry Potter books, then the Hunger games. She seemed to like them, but then again we were both 10 and had a college reading level. It really depends on the person
Guys, this is a "YA" trilogy. YA means Young Adult. 12-year olds are NOT young adults.15-year olds are still a tad young, but could be counted as "young adults".
The book have some difficult themes, like dealing with trauma and loss, etc.
Also, they're also about kids killing each other. I wouldn't give a book like that to a 12-year old.
Sparrowlicious wrote: "Guys, this is a "YA" trilogy. YA means Young Adult. 12-year olds are NOT young adults.15-year olds are still a tad young, but could be counted as "young adults".
The book have some difficult theme..."
A young adult is about 13-18, so 12 years old can definitely read this book if they are a bit more mature for their age.
It might sound crazy, but I read HG when I was nine.
I read it when I was 11, so, I guess it kinda just depends on the person.
i think 12 and older is good10 and older for more mentally mature kids
I'm 13 and read the hunger games when I was like ten. I tried rereading the series but the book just seems less enjoyable now that I'm older. The style that the books are written in is just better for younger people. It's like the Percy Jackson series or Harry potter, there great books for all ages, but there definitely more fun when your younger.
My daughter is reading it now - and she's 9 1/2. I guess she may not entirely understand the book 100%, but she's watched the movies, and so, that certainly helps a lot. To tell you the truth, I've been trying to really get her into reading for quite some time, and struggling. So this is kind of a break through. I basically tried all the books I was reading at her age, Roald Dahl, C.S. Lewis and stuff, but she didn't really get into them - although she finished a few Roald Dahl books. Now I realise that she was probably ready for more mature texts... I'm just happy she's reading.
To me, I don't really think 9 year olds should read HG, even if they are mature for their age, I just don't think that kids that age should be reading it, but then again I don't know the person or the circumstances, so I think it all depends.
Based on the content of the first book, 11+ is a really good age group, but for the whole trilogy I would definitely say 13+ because the following three books can get complicated and also quite disturbing in places.
There IS an absence of sexuality and language that does make them more appropriate for a younger audience, but the overarching themes of giving up governmental control for pleasure, sacrifice, and standing against socially accepted evil are often missed by younger readers. But this is true of many teenagers and adult who read the series. It is sad when people (younger or older) rave or condemn the series because of the violence and love triangle. Those subjects contribute to the theme, but centering on the totally misses the point! Is there really an appropriate age for the Hunger Games? It honestly depends on the reader.
Plus, since I read the books in my early teens, I had a perspective I could not have as an adult. It hit home because I was their age; I could easily put myself in their shoes and understand, instead of simply being appalled that these were "kids killing each other". In that sense, it could be more appropriate for younger audiences to read Hunger Games.
I think it's way too violent for kids any younger than middle school. I think that in order to understand the context of a dystopian, violent society a child must be at least 13-14. It's just a very mature topic. I'm sure for some younger kids, the severity of what is actually happening in the book might just go over their heads, which also means they are probably too young to read it.
Paigetwo *Caitlyn* wrote: "^^^Well not like a 7 year old reading it..."My daughter was six when she started the first book, and seven when she finished the third one. She was not overly upset by it, and Katniss is her hero now. She's a pretty advanced reader though.
I'm not a parent.. but I think 6 and 7 is way too young to read this book. I don't have a doubt in my mind that she can read it, the reading level is very low, but the themes are too mature and I highly doubt she actually understood the context of the book.
She understood it at her level, and we discussed afterwards how cruel and punitive the games were. I'm sure she didn't get the politics in the third book, and I'm not sure she really understood the Gale vs. Peeta mithering that Katniss does for the first half of the second book, at least not on an emotional level. She still enjoyed reading the books, though, and knew what had happened.
Uh 6 and 7? No offense...but that seems way to young. I'm not a parent, but that seems pretty young. For one reason, obviously the violence. I mean, its pretty gruesome... another, there is some sexual/suggestive content. Finnick being used as a sex slave for the capitol, Joanna stripping in the elevator, I mean, I do not find this appropriate for a 10 year old, much less a 6 or 7 year old. I read this book when I was 11 and I think I read it kind of young, but a 6 year old? I recommend reading this book once your like 13 or possibly 12 if your mature.
I believe that 12+ is a good age, not because of the romance but because of the violence. I believe that violence is the more important aspect of an age restriction.
I would say not an age but a grade because some people are 12 years old and in 3rd grade so they cant read very well so i would say about 5th grade
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what do you expect kids to read then?