The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
Readers rate it 4.5 (326 on Google Books) · 4.1 (8.5K on Hardcover)
- Pages
- 386 pages
- Published
- 2008
Content report card
What's inside
Violence
Fighting, weapons, death
Language
Swearing, crude humor
Sexual content
Romance intensity, nudity
LGBTQ+ themes
Presence of characters or themes
Scary or mature
Horror, trauma, heavy themes
Substance use
Alcohol, drugs, smoking
What it offers
Positive messages
Kindness, courage, honesty, resilience
Positive role models
Characters who model good judgment and growth
Educational value
History, science, culture, how the world works
A note for parents
The Hunger Games is a dystopian novel centered on a televised fight-to-the-death competition, featuring sustained violence, deaths of characters including young people, and psychologically heavy themes about war and oppression. While the language is relatively mild and sexual content minimal, the emotional and moral weight is significant. The story powerfully rewards courage, integrity, and questioning injustice, with protagonists who model resilience and empathy even in brutal circumstances. This is best suited for mature teens who can handle dark themes and violence in service of meaningful storytelling.
Analyzed by AI · 1 hour ago
Parent age guide
Is “The Hunger Games” right for your kid?
Ready from about age 13.
From about 12, okay with a grown-up nearby.
For younger readers
- Violence is strong (4/5) — a bit much at 12; fine with a grown-up nearby.
- Scary or mature content is strong (4/5) — a bit much at 12; fine with a grown-up nearby.
- Suggested for ages 13+.
Based on this book's content report card and typical guidance by age. You know your reader best.
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From the publisher
By winning the Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta have secured a life of safety and plenty for themselves and their families, but because they won by defying the rules, they unwittingly become the faces of an impending rebellion. | By winning the Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta have secured a life of safety and plenty for themselves and their families, but because they won by defying the rules, they unwittingly become the faces of an impending rebellion. |
Shelved under
- Juvenile Fiction
- Strong Character Development
- Loveable Characters
- A mix driven
- Diverse Characters
- Not Diverse Characters
- Unloveable Characters
- Weak Character Development
- Plot driven
- Character driven
- standalone
- Adventurous
ISBN 9780439023528 · Scholastic Inc.