Just Robyn Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Is this ok for a boy - almost 10 yo? My ds is interested in it and the lady at the bookstore recommended it for 12 and up, but I wanted some more opinions. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelissaMinNC Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I wouldn't let my 10yo read it - it's pretty graphic (violence). It's a quick read though - maybe you can just read it first and see what you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Is this ok for a boy - almost 10 yo? My ds is interested in it and the lady at the bookstore recommended it for 12 and up, but I wanted some more opinions. Thanks! I was just coming to ask about this book! So, I will be :bigear: In what way is it graphic? I mean, we read The Iliad last year and that's pretty graphic, kwim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeaganS Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 (edited) Well, it would really depend on the kid. There are graphic descriptions of killings, complete with blood and pus. Children are made to kill other children and the morality and consequences of this is discussed in detail. There is a lot of war as well. So, I'd probably not let a 10 year old read it, but it really depends on the family. ETA: Another disturbing part included one boy getting torn apart over the period of hours by genetically mutated dogs and having to listen to him scream all night. This included descriptions of what he looked like. ETA: I'm usually pretty sensitive to stuff like that and usually have a hard time, but for some reason I was able to remove myself from it very easily in Hunger Games and it didn't disturb me like I usually would be, so take that as you will as well. I'm someone who couldn't watch Battlestar Galactica after the first 10 minutes of the first episode when the Cylon kills the baby, but I've read Hunger Games twice. :) Edited November 22, 2011 by MeaganS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Read it yourself first. My oldest read it at ten and my second read it at 9. We've had lots of discussions about it and the other two books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I wouldn't let my 11 year old read it yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 You should really just pre-read it. It's not the type of book that has a clear age cut off. My 13yo read them all, but I would not let my 9yo read them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsmama Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Definitely read it first. And Enders Game, which may be more age appropriate but still has some tough spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HayesW Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Suzanne Collins has another series about Gregor the Overlander which is more appropriate for a 10 year old, also has a boy as a protagonist. I let my 12 year old read the Hunger Games, but her 16 month younger sister is not ready for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jilly Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I think it depends on the kid. Mine read them when they were almost 12. I don't think they would have been ready for them any earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 oooh, it really depends on the kid. And FTR, I LOVE these books. My 11 year old is reading Gregor the Overlander and really likes it. I would not let him read THG. He is not ready yet. Heck, he doesn't even watch PG-13 movies. As the series goes on things become even more serious. There are mentions in the third book of torture and its aftermath, stories of people forced into sexual situations against their will or for food etc. Lots of high level political maneuvering etc. I know some kids are ready for it or take it in stride and just take in what they can. One friend's kid is 14 and she had nightmares. I know younger kids have read it and say they really liked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Well, it would really depend on the kid. There are graphic descriptions of killings, complete with blood and pus. Children are made to kill other children and the morality and consequences of this is discussed in detail. There is a lot of war as well. So, I'd probably not let a 10 year old read it, but it really depends on the family. ETA: Another disturbing part included one boy getting torn apart over the period of hours by genetically mutated dogs and having to listen to him scream all night. This included descriptions of what he looked like. ETA: I'm usually pretty sensitive to stuff like that and usually have a hard time, but for some reason I was able to remove myself from it very easily in Hunger Games and it didn't disturb me like I usually would be, so take that as you will as well. I'm someone who couldn't watch Battlestar Galactica after the first 10 minutes of the first episode when the Cylon kills the baby, but I've read Hunger Games twice. :) :iagree: (apart from 2nd ETA) :) I let my son read Ender's Game and he was able to handle it fine, but I wouldn't let him read Hunger Games yet. I think they're good books, but it'd disturb my son for now. It is a series I'd recommend prereading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Ds was 11 when he read them. I tend to think 12+ is a much better age range, but at least he doesn't seem horribly warped by having read them sooner. ;) I wasn't too distressed by the "graphic" nature of the violence so much as the *horror* of the story -- that these are children being forced to fight each other to the death. The overwhelming evil of that distressed me far, far more than any one description of violence. But I also think some of that was more upsetting to me as an adult (and parent) than it would be to many kids (who can disassociate a little better there)... Dd has asked about reading them. The movie is scheduled to come out when dd is ten, so I may let her read them before it comes out (because she is interested)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Her Gregor books are actually a bit better, IMO. And more appropriate for a 10 yo boy. It's one of those books that I wouldn't recommend to a 10 yo, but wouldn't take away either. Like everyone else said, read it yourself first. You'll probably enjoy it anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I don't think it is appropriate. My son is 12 and I won't let him read it or see the movie when it comes out. My dd16 and dd14 have been allowed to read the books. I think the author toned down some of the graphic nature of the killings...but the overall idea is so horrible. I think the horror of living through it is too much for a 10 year old. I was iffy on letting my 14 year old read it. I loved the books and can't wait to see the movie, but somethings are just so horrible to comprehend so young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Robyn Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 Thank you all. I was already planning on reading it myself eventually, so I guess I'll have to just move it up in queue. Oh darn!:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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