Catching Fire discussion

How old should you be to read the Hunger Games? I know alot of people that read it when they were 11/12. What do you think the minimum age should be?

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...

I also think that it depends on the maturity of the kid because even if there is no sexuality in the book it has some cruel passages and I think, as I read the book, analysed it somehow on a morality-basis.
I think its immoral to see how your kids die ''on TV'' so it really needs some maturity to handle the story .. ;)

12+. there's romance in it, and little kids might not understand it : P

No specific age, just whoever wants to read it. If a young kid is not ready, he or she will probably put it down on his/her own. Readers are all different.

I agree with Agata, there's violence that might scare some kids, even though there isn't any "real" love story in it, other than Katniss trying to decide between Gale or Peta, and there's no swearing. it just depends on how mature you are. if I had to put an age I would say at least 12.

ten years old and older.

I was ten/eleven when I picked up the first book, but then again I was always very mature for my age. There isn't any swearing or really bad romantic scenes, but there's a lot of violence, so I'd actually out it above my age then and say twelve or thirteen.

I agree with most of the previous opinions. I think that it is about 11+, but a mature 11 year old. I read it at 11 and was able to appreciate it. Don't underestimate the maturity of children

I am 11 and I am reading it now, I started a month and a half ago and it is fine for me!

11+

This was offered to my fifth grader at school in their reading program. I was very skeptical after reading the first book myself. I'm not a huge fan of the series; however my son is mature so I decided to let him go ahead. It was a little advanced and confusing for him at times. I must say, I enjoyed discussing with him about a book we are both reading; but I do think that the 10-11 year range is still young and it has nothing to do with the concept of kids killing kids for entertainment. For my son, the draw to the book was the hunting and fishing that Katnis does, being in the outdoors, etc. My husband and I watched the movie and chose not to let him watch it. I felt the movie was a little more graphic than the book; but that's my opinion. I think the book is better suited for 13+.

I think 12-13 year olds should be able to read the books. But, again it also depends how mature they are. Some fighting scenes are a little bit agrresive for pre teens. I read the trilogy when I was 13, and instantly became a huge fan.

11+

That's when my cousin read them and hey, she's not traumatised :P

Sai wrote: "I think 12-13 year olds should be able to read the books. But, again it also depends how mature they are. Some fighting scenes are a little bit agrresive for pre teens. I read the trilogy when I wa..."

Ditto. :)

I read It by Stephen King when i was 12, so...

11+

Daniel wrote: "I read It by Stephen King when i was 12, so..."

12? Man, you're a late starter :)
I was reading books more violent than this when I was 9. My teacher actually took one away from me because she said it was inappropriate for children.
There are commercials more violent than this book. So I would say any age is fine.

^^^Well not like a 7 year old reading it...

Read it when your about 11

Don't forget the kid need to actually understand what they're reading...

I read the whole series when I was 11 and I completely understood it. I think that it depends on maturity of the person. I'd say 11 or 12.

I would say 12 is pushing it, yet I know 11 year olds who have read the whole series. However, I do recommend that this book should be read as a whole group so that these young teens have a chance to discuss the book and the morality that is at hand. If it is going to be read individually, I would say 12 closer to 13+. There is a lot of content that I believe needs maturity for the person to read so they can properly digest the book and respect and honor the characters.

There is a lot of tough material in these books. Even if the kid can handle that they still might not understand. I have seen a lot of eleven/twelve year olds who enjoy the books but do not have much of a comprehension of the moral dilemmas in this book. It really depends on the child but it is really a 13+ sort of book.

my sister read it when she was 10 and she wasn't scared for life anything she loves it

Katinka wrote: "There is a lot of tough material in these books. Even if the kid can handle that they still might not understand. I have seen a lot of eleven/twelve year olds who enjoy the books but do not have mu..."
Yes but do they really need to appreciate the moral dilemmas? Some people just read for the joy of reading you know.

What's the rush? Just because its "in" right now doesn't make it any more appropriate. I'd say 13 at the youngest to get the most out of it. It's all about what themes and ideas about the world you want them to get out of it. If they are 11, they might find it entertaining but miss the main idea and the intense political and social issues addressed. The books and movies are still going to be there in 3 years so make them wait! Give them something to look forward to!

5th grade

What? No way!! Too young.

12 and upwards

11 and upwards. an eleven year old might not always understand it,but i do not believe that it could harm the average, normal 11 year olds. it might be a little dramatic for an eleven year old who is very childish. (best way to let them grow up, right? )

A lot of kids want to read the hunger games because it's so popular but they might not even understand what there reading

It depends. I was raised in a way that I know not everything is sunshine and rainbows, and I read this at 11. I'm more mature than most kids, but I would say maybe 9, at the youngest, but still, it depends.

Lachlan wrote: "A lot of kids want to read the hunger games because it's so popular but they might not even understand what there reading"

yes but that doesn't matter when rating the age it can be read by them. as long as it doesn't harm them I think

I read them all when I was 17 and I think I would have enjoyed them when I was younger. I did read books that were mature when I was 12, like The Lovely Bones, and The Kite Runner, and a Thousand Splendid Suns. It depends on the kid, I guess. I think it would be all right if kids could read mature topics. The books portray violence and war in a negative light so they aren't supporting violence. Kids could be taught lessons from reading mature topics, instead of being sheltered from them.

Kady wrote: "What's the rush? Just because its "in" right now doesn't make it any more appropriate. I'd say 13 at the youngest to get the most out of it. It's all about what themes and ideas about the world you..."
The question doesn't really ask "at what age will you be able to appreciate the political and moral issues in this book?" It asks what is the minimum age that people should read this? i.e. what is an age in which it would not scar kids for life? And seen as there are kids who are five years old playing call of duty or whatever, I think 11+ is a reasonable age

There is no specific age, it just depends on the child's maturity.

I would say 12 at the youngest, but even that's pushing it. A good age to start reading the series is 14 because of the violence, but that's just my opinion. It really depends on the maturity level of the kid.

Laurel wrote: "I would say 12 at the youngest, but even that's pushing it. A good age to start reading the series is 14 because of the violence, but that's just my opinion. It really depends on the maturity level..."

There is more violence in cartoons

I was a children's librarian and read the first book because a teen recommended it. I agree on the point of an individual's maturity. I felt a good starting point would be 13.

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.

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."

Lol
Sorry, I just find this post funny.

Im 12 and I read the trilogy and I think its fine if your mature. Yes it has kissing and romance but you see that on your everyday childrens show.

Daniel wrote: "Daniel wrote: "I read It by Stephen King when i was 12, so..."

12? Man, you're a late starter :)"

Depends on how old they are now. I read It at 12 too, because that's when it came out in paperback. :)

Lostshadows wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Daniel wrote: "I read It by Stephen King when i was 12, so..."

12? Man, you're a late starter :)"

Depends on how old they are now. I read It at 12 too, because that's when it came ..."

yeah, my friend reccomended it to me

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 children.

When I was 11, I wrote awesome poetry, read complex books, and could memorize countless facts relating to social studies. 11 year olds are anything but kids. And anyone who says junk like "not mature enough" is not used to being around an 11 year old or 12 year old.

My middle son was in 4th grade/9-10 years old when he read them and LOVED THEM!! I have read them also, and so has my now 13 year old (he read them when he was 11-12). I think with an open dialog, and a willingness to be involved in your child's life, then as long as you think they are mature enough, to let them read it. They are great books.

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 the hunger games when I was ten and understood every word of it :) I really think your underestimating people im still 12 and I've read MUCH worse

I agree with Zoe completely

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 now I see it in a different perspective.