Hunger Games?

It was my daughter's birthday on the weekend, and part of her celebration was going to the show with three of her friends. Two of the girls wanted to go see the Hunger Games, but not knowing enough about it, I said no.

The girls are 10-11 yrs old. I didn't think the Hunger Games series was directed towards girls so young? I know I tend to be a little 'old fashioned' in my parenting, but isn't it sort of violent?

It's not something my daughter has shown any interest in, so I think I was kind of surprised the others were so into it. I guess maybe I should just read the books myself!

I have 50 pages left of the first book. I'm really enjoying it. I haven't seen the movie but knowing what I know of the book, I personally would have to go with your first impression of not taking them. But so many parents are much more lenient than I ever was. So read the book(s) and make your own decision

I haven't even read it myself Shannon because of the violence I've heard about. I'm a wimpy reader and don't enjoy those kinds of books or movies! LOL So you probably made a wise choice in NOT taking them from everything I've heard about it. Sometimes I think they want to go to those things without even realizing what its about just because of all the hype everyone's making about it.

Curious to see what others think.....

I am hearing mixed reviews. I understand the book is written at 5th grade reading level and is geared for teens? An adult friend said it was ok and she would take her 11 and 12 yr olds. I'm not big on hype and will wait to see it.

We watched it last night for family night. We did take our "almost 10 year old. She will be 10 this Thursday. I try to be really careful, too. I heard some say they wouldn't want to take their child at that age, but Carley did well with it. There is some violence in it but I thought they did really well not making it too gruesome for the younger crowd that will be going to watch. If you steer clear of violence, then I wouldn't take them. Carley did really well with it and I don't regret taking her but I would definitely watch it myself first and then decide. We all really liked it though and can't wait for the second one to come out.

It was a great movie-but i do remember thinking I was glad my 10 year old niece hadn't come because I think it was a bit much for her. The movie seemd more disturbing than the book to me even though the book went into much greater detail.

I suppose it depends on the kid. I haven't seen the movie, but I have read the books, and for me, it seems too violent for my kids.

I need to read the books. My 15 year old wants to see it, but I won't let her until I have read them.

I heard they toned down the violence compared to the book (prob to make it PG 13) but the concept of the book is pretty intense for that age group. I would see it first and then decide.

check out this site
http://www.kids-in-mind.com/h/hungergames.htm

Great site!! Thanks, Ellen!!

I heard the same thing Ellen about them watering down a lot of the violence so the younger kids would be able to see it.

Our youngest god daughter is 11 and she went to see it with her family on Saturday and she told us Sunday that she thought it was stupid. But then one of her sisters, that is 13, just loved it.

I can't decide if I want to see the movie or read the book first. I usually read the books first but then am so let down by the movies that I get mad. So this time I am leaning towards seeing the movie first so I won't be disapointed by it. And it will make the book even better!

Thanks for the link Ellen!

Ben is 15 and read the series in 7th grade--he wants to go see the movie.He loved the books.

I REALLY think it depends on YOUR child. Evan and I went to see it on Saturday. There were a bunch of kids much younger than him there. He is 12 and very matter of factual. He is a kid who handles anything and is not at all impressionable or phased by most things so I was not very worried. We read the books at the same time with me reading ahead a bit and then telling him where I was so that he could catch-up. I wanted to KNOW what he was going to read first. There is no question that it is a violent book and movie but I think they did a good job of making the movie less violent for the younger viewers and I am a fairly old-fashioned and over-protective Mom. Plus I normally hate this sort of storyline but did love the books for some twisted reason. Now that being said my Daughter who is 9 will NEVER see it because she gets super upset if we even swat a fly with the fly swatter. HATES killing and violence of any kind....So...I definitely think each child will be different.

I had never even heard about it until they started talking about the movie. The same thing happened with the Twilight series. I sat down and read all the books to make sure I thought it was okay for our oldest to even read the books. I ended up more hooked than she was.

I agree with each child handling things differently. One of my kids freaked out in the middle of Despicable Me!!!!! You never know. My biggest thing is the cussing and um....lovey stuff in the movies. I know I can't shelter them forever but it seems like they are putting more and more in G and PG movies. Off to check out the link. I still have no idea what it is even about lol

Oh I know! I hate how you are sitting in a G-rated movie and they are showing previews for PG-13 or worse! Drives me crazy.