Book Appropriateness

It sounds like she wants to read them. Might I suggest that you read them too? Then the 2 of you can discuss them. You'll be able to talk wth her about any concerns - based upon what you have actually read. And she will feel very special and grown up talking books with you.

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I was an advanced reader as a child and often brought home books that weren't age appropriate, but were at my reading level. My mom simply read them as I was reading them or read them before I did. I still have never read the end of "Superfudge" by Judy Bloom because my mom took it away from me for fear it would ruin Santa for me. :-) I laughed about it when I was a kid, got annoyed sometimes and kept some of my reading at school (Stephen King in 7th grade). As an adult, I totally understand that my mom was simply trying to keep me from growing up too fast, just because I was smart. I would read the book first, talk to your daughter about it if you decide she shouldn't read it yet or discuss it with her as she's reading it. If you decide she should wait to read it, you can also call the school librarian after you read it and ask that your daughter not be allowed to check out the book. Good luck!

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Hi S.,

I just learned about this website yesterday:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Here's the link for the Hunger Games series:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/the%20hunger%20game
I haven't become a member, but was able to read reviews without having to do so.

The site gives a positive review. I would read it first, because looking at what is in the book, makes me think I would not allow it. I looked at the reviews by parents and teens who read it. Parents are concerned, most teens liked it. The site recommends the books for ages 12+. The parents often recommended it for 14+. Teens ages were scattered - probably their own ages.

I would look at the reviews with your daughter and discuss.

I, too, think it's a good idea to discuss books with your daughter. Maybe your local library could start a book discussion group for teens, if they don't already have one.

Good luck,
M.D.

I LOVED these books, so I may be a bit biased. In my opinion the reading of violence is much better (for a developing child) than the reading of vivid sex scenes or anything like that. I was relieved that these books have VERY little romance in them. There's a bit of a love story that occasionally involves kissing, but it is all very tame and fits the story (it's actually their love story that saves them... not the love itself... that would be cheesy). To me, that feels appropriate for the age group and I would definitely let an 11 year old read it. The violence portion is quite violent. BUT I don't think it's the type of violence that would keep a kid up at night. Almost everything was about supernatural things that attack. It was scary, but I think it was manageable, even for an 11 year old. As a teacher, this is probably NOT something I'm supposed to say, but something I plan to teach my kids. When you have a GOOD book, and you're loving the story, go ahead and skip a bit if it's getting to scary. I've done that and how is it different than closing your eyes during a scary movie?
I'll try to summarize the "death match" so you'll know what that's all about. It takes place in the future, in an alternate reality in which most of the US (presumably) is destroyed. Only small sections of the population are still alive in suffering districts. The Capital is the district that "won" the war that destroyed the rest. The Capital is full of wealth and power and each year the President stages "The Hunger Games" in which two young people from each district are pitted against each other to fight to the death. The whole thing is broadcast live to all the districts (who, all except for the Capital, think it's atrocious) as entertainment and to "teach a lesson" to the other districts about who's in charge. It's dreadful. So the storyline follows one girl from one district as she fights in the Hunger Games. Etc, etc... it's a page-turner. And leaves you wanting SO badly to fix their whole society, because everything is rigged against all the "normal people" in the districts.
Long story short, go ahead and let her read it. If she finds it too scary, she'll stop reading it. You could read it ahead, if you have time (ha!). But it IS a quick read and, like I said, REALLY enjoyable. Or read it together! Good luck!

L.

PS. The movie is coming out soon and will ruin the books forever (like all movies based on books do).

I will second Letitia's comments and say let her read them as long as you have read them first and can discuss it together. I read it for an assignment in an graduate teaching course where we were to go to a student and ask THEM what book they would have us read if they could. It was such a great read (three in the series) it lent itself to a great discussion about oppression, fairness, and loyalty. It was also great to see a student's views and opinions be the starting point to a discussion. I assume it will go just as well with a child (mine is not yet three so...).

Best of luck, it really is a great series of books with a great protagonist who has to think about how to best protect her family and keep her individuality and values in the face of a horrid situation. MUCH better for girls than the Twilight series.

my son is 14 & loved the books. They are quite popular right now.

My son said the subject matter was weird for a kids' book, but he thought that the points made justified the content. & there is death in the Harry Potter books, .....& in Twilight......& in the Left Behind series.....& in James Patterson's Maximum Ride series........& many others.

My vote is for you to read them first.

My 14 year old actually recommended the first book to me, and warned me that it had violence and to give it a chance. By the time the third book was released we were fighting over who got to read it first.(She did, it was her birthday) These books are essentially about war and dictatorship, and how a corrupt government effects families and communities. The "death match" is more of a lottery that no one wins, and the kids names are drawn from a pool. If they refuse to participate the entire community will suffer for it. I highly recommend them, to you, and to your daughter. And like others have said the violence is no worse than most sci/fi books and movies, and in it's own way teaches a lesson if you pay attention.

I always read on AMAZON.com.

Click here. http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Book-1/dp/0439023521/r...
LENGTHY reviews. One person posted:
"The age range? Well, for most of this story I would have said ten and up. I mean, yeah the basic premise is that a lot of teenagers go around killing one another, and sure there's some romance to deal with, but none of it really seems inappropriate... until a final death scene appears in the book. I won't give any details, but suffice it to say it is gruesome. There are definite horror elements to it as well, so with that in mind I am upping my recommendation to 12 and up. I'm sure that there are 10-year-olds out there who've seen much worse stuff on cable, just as there are 12-year-olds who'll freak out ten pages in. Still, I'm more comfortable recommending it for the older kids rather than the younger. You'll see why."]

So if you do let her read it, I agree to read it with her and tell her you want to start doing a 'book club' with her.

One of my good friends is a school librarian. If I'm correct, she mentioned these books the other week. In them kids are forced to battle each other to the death. Thats about all I know about them, but can get more info from her if you need it. E-mail if you do.
I also know that she is very selective in age appropriatness in the books. She knows the students well and knows what kinds of books they have already read, and can usually tell if htey are mature enough to handle it. Talk to the librarian at your daughters school and see what she thinks. If she is like my friend, she reads everything that comes into the library before the kids get ahold of it. This way she can tell them if its good or if they will like it according to the childs past preferences. If you think its to graffic or mature ask her to either 'keep' it on the waiting list as far as your daughter is concerned or enlist her in helping tell DD that you both don't think she is ready for it.

I just read them...no way whatsoever would I let my children read them....(i have 11 and 12 year old girls) I can't believe they are listed as tween/teen books. Every person I have spoken too has said the same thing. Don't get me wrong..I loved the books...but I am a 29 year old adult....

I've read them and enjoyed them. It's a really easy read and you can probably preview it easily in a night.

IMHO, it's not any worse than Ironman, Avatar, Star Wars or any other PG movie. I wouldn't keep the book from her, but do discuss it!!

The wiki on it is accurate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games

My 12 year old son and I are in the middle of the third book right now. We've loved the books and he begs me at night to read "one more chapter".
Yes it has violence in it, but as another reader said, no more than Star Wars, Avatar, Harry Potter or any of those movies that teens like. I'm reading it to my son, so if you are concerned about the violence you could read the book to your daughter and leave out the more gruesome parts as you go along.

What I like about them is the strong lead female character and the range of emotions that's depicted in the story. There's a lot of moral issues that the characters wrestle with and I think it's good for pre-teens and teens to be exposed to that. Reading fairy tales with happy endings won't help them think about values and what's right and wrong and how and when to stand up for what's right.

I haven't read the book but wanted to say that I'm glad you are asking. I used to work at B&N a few years ago. You really have to watch out for teen books. There are lots of drugs and sex topics written in those books. I always tell parents to either read them or ask someone - just to avoid the questions or having him/her read something that you are not sure she is mature enough to handle. Of course, being realistic, this is what teens deal with on a daily basis, but at 11 you (or her) might not be ready for it. Good luck!