Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

Let's be clear: this is a book about children murdering each other for entertainment. It's brutal, it's disturbing, and it's supposed to be. But it's also one of the best YA novels of the past 20 years.

Collins doesn't flinch. The violence is graphic, the stakes are real, and Katniss's moral compromises feel earned, not sanitized. This isn't a book that coddles readers—it challenges them to think about power, propaganda, and what happens when society turns suffering into spectacle.

The concerns parents raise are valid: the violence is intense, the themes are dark, and some kids will need to process it with an adult. But for mature middle schoolers and up, this is exactly the kind of book that sticks with you—not just because it's a page-turner (though it absolutely is), but because it asks hard questions about humanity, survival, and resistance.

Still a must-read in 2025, especially as kids navigate their own media-saturated, algorithmically-driven world. Just make sure they're ready for it.

Age Fit

Best for mature readers 12 and up who can handle graphic violence and heavy themes. Some 10-11 year olds can handle it, but know your kid—this is dark stuff. Upper teens and adults still find it gripping, so it's got staying power.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

45

The core premise—children forced to kill each other on live TV—is fundamentally dark. While Katniss models bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty (taking her sister's place), the book explores trauma, authoritarian brutality, and survival at the cost of humanity. The emotional tone is heavy, not chaotic, but definitely not emotionally 'healthy' in a traditional wholesome sense. It's more about resilience in the face of horror than modeling everyday kindness.

Imaginative

88

Collins built a dystopian world that feels both original and chillingly plausible—Panem's districts, the Capitol's excess, the arena as reality TV spectacle. The survival elements invite readers to think tactically (how would I survive?), and the political allegory sparks curiosity about power, propaganda, and rebellion. It's not 'build your own world' imaginative, but it absolutely fires up critical thinking and what-if scenarios.

Safe

35

This is a book about kids killing kids. The violence is graphic at times—deaths by spear, tracker jacker stings, neck-snapping—and it's meant to be disturbing. There's no sexual content or nudity (some romantic tension, a few kisses), minimal language, no drug use beyond the Capitol's indulgence. But the core content is absolutely not safe for a young child to stumble into. It's age-appropriate for teens who can process dark themes, but it earns trigger warnings for violence, death, and trauma.

Enriching

82

This book punches way above typical YA fare. It's a sharp critique of media manipulation, authoritarian control, economic inequality, and desensitization to violence. Katniss's moral dilemmas—when to trust, when to kill, how to stay human—are genuinely complex. It builds empathy for those living under oppression and sparks conversations about propaganda, spectacle, and resistance. Plus, it's a page-turner that keeps reluctant readers hooked. High entertainment value meets real substance.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Katniss is a genuinely compelling protagonist—resourceful, flawed, and fiercely protective of those she loves
Sharp social commentary on media manipulation, authoritarian control, and inequality that feels more relevant than ever
The pacing is relentless—even reluctant readers tear through this in days
Sparks real conversations about morality, propaganda, and what it means to stay human under pressure
Nearly two decades later, it still holds up as a cultural touchstone and gateway to dystopian lit

⚠

What to Watch For

The violence is graphic and disturbing—kids die on-page, sometimes brutally. Not for sensitive or younger readers.
The emotional weight is heavy: trauma, loss, moral compromise. Some kids will need to talk through it.
Romantic subplot is present but secondary—don't expect a love triangle to overshadow the survival story (though it's there)
This is book one of a trilogy, and the sequels get darker and more complex

Conversation Starters

"If you were in the arena, what would your survival strategy be? Would you team up or go solo?"
"Why do you think the Capitol makes the Games a TV spectacle? What does that say about entertainment and desensitization?"
"Katniss struggles with when to trust people and when to protect herself. When have you had to make a tough call about trust?"
"The districts are kept poor and powerless on purpose. How does that connect to things you've learned about inequality or history?"
"Do you think Katniss made the right choice volunteering for Prim? What would you have done?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

The Hunger Games