Make a Comment »With all of the chatter about The Hunger Games, I am compelled to share some of my insights for parents considering the series for their children. As an educator and a parent, it is my opinion that the content is not appropriate for children under 12.
I teach fifth grade, and for the past two years, many students in my class have read, at least, the first book. For a long time, the premise of The Hunger Games did not interest me enough to add the series to my reading list. When parents asked me what I thought about the books, or whether or not their student should read them, I had to admit that I really did not know the full spectrum of the story or the levels of violence.
Recently, of course, the hype around the series has sky-rocketed, and I finally decided that I needed to read the book–if for no other reason than to be able to engage in discussions with students who would surely see the blockbuster film.
Once I started reading The Hunger Games, I could not put it down. The writing is solid, and for some reason, I visualized the characters as adults while reading, so I could assimilate the violence somehow. My husband and I both enjoyed the movie; nonetheless, there are elements of the books that make them questionable choices for younger students.
The story line has a thread that absolutely engages the reader to follow to the end, and with each book, the ante is upped. While this is wonderful for hooking readers and encouraging kids to keep reading, the books get progressively more graphic as the series continues. If I couldn’t wait to read Catching Fire, and finally, Mockingjay, parents should be concerned about their children wanting to keep reading.
Aside from the original dark premise—where children kill each other in a state-sanctioned game–the trilogy offers more disturbing content as it unfolds. I found the least appropriate content for young readers in Mockingjay, where it comes to light that the President sells desirable tributes as sexual slaves. Another character is addicted to “morphling” (morphine) and hooks her IVs up to siphon drugs off of fellow tributes’ supplies. Katniss and Peeta (teenagers) carry on the ruse of a pregnanacy, only to lie about a miscarriage. Even worse is the description of babies and children being blown to bits, with tiny limbs littering the landscape. Impressionable young readers (even those who might have found The Hunger Games palatable) might find the series escalation to be more scarring with each progressive book.
Though well-written and thorough, this dystopian saga contains material that any parent should absolutely read cover-to-cover prior to allowing young children to read it. Also, if your child is too young or has a reading level that is not advanced enough to understand the book on his or her own, perhaps your child should not see the movie.
If your avid reader loves The Hunger Games, keep in mind that there are more books, and the content treads into even more mature territory. Forge ahead carefully.
