How can you object to a book you have not even read? Parents like that give a bad name to parenthood. Who DOESN'T want their child to learn/think/explore/expand?? Unfortunately, way too many.

Well..this parent's objection to the novel might have a bit more substance if she had actually read the it. The main character, Katniss Everdeen IS NOT the only teen to survive the Hunger Games. Peeta survives as well. The themes in The Hunger Games are thought provoking and motivating to YA readers. I cannot imagine a world where all things of this nature would be removed so that young people could not be exposed to them. I am an educator of middle school age students but I am also a parent of a teenager. I have also read the entire trilogy. I would use these books in my classroom as well as encourage my daughter to read them.

As anyone who has read the book can tell you, the lesson goes a lot deeper than "if you are a teenager and kill twenty-three other teenagers, you win the game and your family wins." The Hunger Games is a story about the kind of impossible choices people are asked to make when government is corrupt and unjust. And, as Mrs. LaSalle would know if she had read the book, not only does the main character very seldom kill others, but two out of the 24 teenagers survive, but survival is not really a "win" by any stretch of the imagination

I just wonder why this is a book being read to an 11 year old child. The book is clearly Young Adult and surely more suitable for a child 13 years and up? Sometimes we get defensive for the wrong reasons and common sense gets thrown out the door. As a young adult librarian I would ask why this particular text was chosen to be read aloud to this particular age group when there are many other good texts that could have been used that would not have caused any angst? Surely as teachers and librarians we also have to be aware of our responsibilites to give children good guidelines as to what they should be reading? If we use good guidelines this sort of thing may not occur, and if it does, at least we would know that the book chosen was chosen for the right reasons, age, etc.... If we don't want books on banned lists some of the care is on our shoulders!

Many 7th graders ARE 13 - my daughter was! But really - does a specific birthdate dictate the maturity levels of all students? Is it a parent's right to determine a definition of what's controversial? I think it's great the she used it as a read aloud book. Can you imagine the discussions the kids could have? I agree that there are so many more lessons to be learned than that killing teens is justified! I really enjoyed the trilogy - the writing style is very strong and details are superb!

Clearly this parent was not taught crictical thinking skills in school. If she had, she'd see that no one "wins" in The Hunger Game. It's a shame educators, students, etc. have to put up with people like this...

I disagree that the age of the child needs to be the criteria for reading a book aloud. I would argue that maturity level is a much more relevant yardstick to gauge appropriateness. I'm an elementary school librarian. Yes, I have The Hunger Games and Catching Fire in my library. Mostly 5th graders are the only ones interested in it. We have a large population of Highly Gifted Students. I feel that if they could handle Ender's Game - what's so bad about The Hunger Games?

While I am completely against banning the book, I admit that I feel it was a poor choice for the age group. I absolutely love the Hunger Games trilogy, it is not the most appropriate choice for 11 yr. olds.

I am opposed to censorship but I am also opposed to forcing children to deal with subjects they aren't ready for developmentally, and I would agree that a YA book is probably not appropriate for most 11 year olds. But then, most 11 year olds are not in the 7th grade, so there may be another layer to this story.

While I agree that the book should be geared towards 13+ teens, the woman is clearly an idiot! She, like many other parents, take the easy way out and do not even bother to read the book before they get all up in arms about it. God forbid they actually take the time to read it then discuss it with their child...oh wait! That would require that they actually get involved with their child’s learning experience! They "assume" based upon what their child has said and what other people have said that the premise of the book is simply teens killing other teens. These are the type of parents that get excellent books banned/challenged like "Speak" or “The Outsiders” honestly! They don't want their children to "read" about something "bad" happening but they can watch on T.V. and at the movie theater! Hypocrites every one of them! God help us, because this type of parent is often the "Norm" and not the exception.......

Most 7th graders are 12 and up. Perhaps the problem is that the 7th grader is younger than most of her peers. the other kids in class may be old enough to handle it. If the child is younger than her peers that is an issue will will come up for years. However as one who has lived that life, content was never an issue with me

I have read all three of the books in this series. Although it is an excellent series I can see why it would cause nightmares in an 11 year old. The book shouldn't be banned, but as teachers we need to realize that the violence in some of these books DOES have an impact on students. An 11 year old may not have the brain development to understand the big ideas and themes underlying the story. We really need to consider age appropriateness. I think this book would be better used at the high school level

As others before me have said it's clear that the parent hasn't read the book and that invalidates her entire argument. Given that she's failed to file a formal challenge with the school board I'd bet she's beginning to realize that she's on shaky ground. A little flicker of hope in my heart wants her to be reading the book right now in order to truly understand it before she decides whether to file. I think it's quite possible that this book isn't a great book for her child. There were plenty of books I felt that way about when I was in school. Also filmstrips, lectures, movies and people. Somehow I survived, graduated and went on to college.

If her daughter is 11 and in seventh grade, she must have skipped a grade or be in very advanced placement. I was in fifth grade when I was 11.

Here is my favorite part: "Although Tracy LaSalle has yet to read the bestseller herself" Before you go demanding something you better get yourself informed. I Based on that point alone the issue should be contested based on nothing but hersay. Gotta love them helicopters.

Kudos to Hilary Bishop. Proper material for the proper audience. When in doubt, have students chose material to read silently. "Hunger Games" is NOT the proper material for an 11-year-old, in my opinion. (Yes, I have read all three books in this series.) Some 11-year-olds may be mature enough to absorb the lessons found in this story; but, on the whole, it is a young adult book. Thought before action.

I wonder if she'll see the movie when it is released. I know alot of kids and other adults who will.

The article states that the book is in her daughter's "seventh grade class". Either the daughter who heard it was not in seventh grade or she skipped ahead. Most seventh graders are 12 or 13...

“On rare occasion, we have situations where a piece of material is not what it appears to be on the surface and the material is totally inappropriate for a school library. In that case, yes, it is appropriate to remove materials. If it doesn’t fit your material selection policy, get it out of there.” Quote is by Judith Krug of the ALA. If the book in question is as described above, it may be removed. Don't let the ALA bully you ("dictate policy") or demean members of your community ("you have already singled your child out"). Contact me if you wish, SafeLibraries at gmail dot com.

I agree with Hilary, the question should be why read a book aloud that is meant for young adults? Some parents don't allow their children to view PG13 and R movies. Clearly this book will fall into one of those two categories when it comes out as a movie. Personally I loved the book and imagine it would make for great discussion in a High School. It is fiction, and in the end a child must ask themselves, real or not real, possible or not possible?

Having read this book myself, I have to agree that the lessons go much deeper than mere "survival". They are absolutely about personal integrity, thinking ahead to the consequences of your actions, standing up as individuals and as a population group for the rights a corrupt government has taken away, and helping others through a startling level of poverty and privation. The main character, Katniss, focuses on getting through the games without having to directly kill anyone, and she almost achieves that goal. She also recognizes the responsibility she has for her indirect actions leading to the deaths of several of the other combatants. I think (as a parent of a 12yo) that most kids 11 and up are ready to think about some of the issues in this novel, and personally I'm glad to see an author take on some of the things that are often treated as taboo in our society. Are the reality programs we watch so avidly on television any different than this novel? Only in the fact that we don't see on television the things those combatants are thinking and feeling, we don't hear their guilt and sorrow.

The issue begins with the line "Although Tracy LaSalle has yet to read the bestseller herself..." If this parent cares enough to cause such a to-do, she should at least read the book. Maybe then she'd see that The Hunger Games has an awful lot to do with honor and loyalty, and actually speaks out against killing people for entertainment.

Well I think the teachers should have read "12 and up" on a cover or website... If the kid hates the book so much, she should not be in that class. I have read The Hunger Games even though I am 11 but the violence was no problem for me...

I am a parent of an 11 year old boy who is asking to read The Hunger Games (I read, and loved, all three books in the series) and I am not sure I want him to read these books at this time. The books are available to the students in his classroom as part of their classroom library and I don't have a problem with that. I don't believe one parent should ask for a book to be removed from a classroom simply because they object to their child reading it. I think parents and their children (perhaps with input from the teacher) should decide what is (in)appropriate for that child to read. I would, however, have a problem if the teacher decided to read the book to the class. It's a controversial book and probably unsuitable for most 11 years old. I agree with the young adult librarian there must be better, more age appropriate books to read to a group of young students.

As someone who has read the book, I say it isn't suitable for an 11 year old and the teacher who read this to the class is thoroughly irresponsible. Yeah, maybe the woman should have read the book first but is "the agonising screams of a young girl being murdered" and the "time when all the contestants had to bludgeon each other to death with spiked mallets" the kind of material an 11 yr old should be subjected to? And what lessons are to be learned? Besides the fact that killing is bad, killing for entertainment is horrifc etc? The majority of children already know that, such material shouldn't be forced down their throats under the guise of learning. Most *adults* would and do find this book disturbing and for the 11 yr old who perhaps may have the stomach for it, there are many who will find it so disturbing that it torments them. Let children be children for christ sake. That's the problem with society these days, not the fact that we're not teaching our kids that a "guy putting someone in a headlock and snapping his neck" is bad. We're all so concerned with learning that we don't care about the material being taught or how much it might mess up a kids mind.

I offer a defense for teaching the novels to children 12 and older in my article here: http://hungergameslessons.blogspot.com/2010/11/defense-for-teaching-hunger-games-to.html There are many violent topics learned in 7th grade in history class that are actually true. Ever heard of the Holocaust? I would never censor that, nor would I censor a novel that students find compelling AND teaches a valuable lesson. If the book is inappropriate for the student, offer her an alternative novel to read, but do not take an excellent learning tool away from the rest of the class or school.

'That's the problem with society these days, not the fact that we're not teaching our kids that a "guy putting someone in a headlock and snapping his neck" is bad.' Actually, Dani, I think the problem with society is a lack of critical thinking and awareness, as your arguments vaguely demonstrate. This book does not teach, as you quote, that "putting someone in a headlock and snapping his neck is bad." It teaches that sometimes SOCIETY itself or government are bad. It teaches that demanding change, standing up to dictators, to oppression, are indescribably, almost dangerously, important. It teaches that love, friendship, family, and loyalty are important. It teaches that, sometimes, fighting for the right thing isn't easy. It teaches that we, as citizens of the world, have to pay attention before things get out of hand. It teaches the importance of taking ownership in your country, your democracy, and your life. Have you read the entire trilogy? If not, I suggest you do; the first book alone does not communicate the myriad social, political, and historical lessons as completely as the trilogy. I'm not sure if this book is right for an 11 year old, or this little girl in particular; but I am 100% certain that your watered down analysis - "killing is bad, killing for entertainment is horrific etc" - is utterly incorrect and there are numerous important lessons to be gleaned from these books with the proper guidance.

This verdict is absolutely insane. What the f*** were they thinking!

I have read it and don't believe it should be a part of a middle school curriculum. Many kids are NOT exposed to the type of violence in this book.

Reading, scary.

I agree that this is a better subject for a slightly older age group, but figure that if there is a problem, kids should be given another option than reading and discussing the book. I also think that the mother should have read (or at least googled) the book before complaining, because the series is actually showing how violence/war is bad for all sides. While some scenes are very graphic, the purpose is to show how people (such as the capitol)can get desensitized to the killing and see it as a "game". Finally, if a curriculum covers the Hunger Games, it should cover the entire series so that the full message is shown.

yeah I'm in high school and my mom is intent on reading it before I do, to see if there is anything bad. Which really annoys me because I'm not a little baby and I don't need my mommy reading every single book before I can. I mean for crying out loud, I'm in high school!

This is one of the best books i have ever read. These books are for teens not younger kids. I being 15 think this book is excellent. If you don't like the book don't read it.

we read this book in my english class as a freshman i agree that it might be more appropriate for young adult's. but it is so much more than just a book about brutal killing. it showes the tough decisions people are sometimes forced to make. it also makes no sence to argue a side for anything if you dont know more about what you are supporting.

The Hunger Games is a fantastic book! Katniss instilled certain morals and values about the violence that nullify its effects.Many people at my junior high school enjoy this book and say it is the best book they have ever read. I wholeheartedly agree.It teaches us teenagers about doing what is right even though ther is no choice. Also, this book is purely fiction and just a simply mean of entertainment. It should not be censored or else other books with mild violence would also be censored until the only books left are Whinnie the Pooh and various Dr. Seuss novels. I agree with Pancoast. Plus, she should really read the book before she challenges it. Common sense.She might enjoy it, but god forbid she enjoy the most amazing book ever.

"Mrs. LaSalle stated there is no lesson in this book except if you are a teenager and kill twenty-three other teenagers, you win the game and your family wins." I'm wondering how this woman came to such a conclusion without even reading the novel. Even so, for her to say that the book contains "no lesson" leads me to believe that she did not bother to look for one. Her ignorance is astounding to me. Every child has nightmares, regardless of what they read or watch on television. It truly saddens me that some parents basically want their children to live in a tiny room with blank walls and no windows. Literature is a reflection of life; to take that away from them is to restrict their experiences and to do exactly what the government in "The Hunger Games" aims to do: control a population and dictate what they should think and do.

Sometimes you can read the back of a book and you know the content is not appropriate for specific ages. Seriously, after reading the back of this book, I think most would agree not to read it to first graders. Old yeller has content that is sad, but suitable for younger readers in theme and content. The movie industry is struggling to film this movie so it can be a PG-13 rating because the content of the story is considered rated R. And this book is being read to 11 year olds? The book is not going anywhere- why can't these 11 year olds read it when they get older and meanwhile read interesting books that would stimulate age appropriate discussion on relevant topics of their age and our society. Isn't it our jobs as parents and educators to respect children's readiness for processing various levels of emotional and conceptual content in books, movies, curriculum? Good for this parent for standing up and posing the question.

Trolololololo

dasbfkasdnjk.f

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a series of books that are being given almost the same acclamation as the Harry Potter series. The first movie is due out in March. I’ve read that some schools are asininely including them in their curriculum and that some young girls are left with nightmares after having read them. Due to the popularity of these books, I would like to issue a warning to parents. Please read the entire series before allowing your children to read them. I feel the books could be psychologically damaging to young, impressionable minds. Please read them in a critical manner. The following are my own thoughts on the series and then I included another review: I finished reading the series last night as I had received them as a gift. The books were riveting, charged, highly emotional, but having said that… I have real reservations about the series. The series is about the extremely sadistic torture of young teenagers. The further along in the series…the more twisted and perverse the story line becomes. But, because of the way it is all presented, you tend to forget that these are children and not adults who must survive these gruesome, hellish games. The sarcastic glory with which the Hunger Games are treated by those in power adds an utterly depraved dimension to the plot. For those who are unfortunately familiar with the Saw movies, the books are more insidious. Besides the almost continuous and multiple ways the author finds to torture and kill off her characters, the under-age main character must stand naked while a man examines every inch of her in deciding how she is to be dressed, is handed suicide pills, watches a close friend beheaded, sees her sister go up in flames and learns that the former victors were sold as prostitutes. Children are forced to kill each other. This is a series for young pre-teens and young teens? What happened to half-way wholesome books for our young ones? Let’s throw-out the misleading ‘young adult’ label these books are given. Children are not ‘young adults’ until they are 18 years old. They should not be considered adults until they are 21 as it always was, but political reasons forbid this. You have to wonder about a mind that conjures up these images and this type of theme. By the end of the series the main characters are left so completely broken in body, mind and spirit that there is no victorious rejoicing. While the feat of eliminating the Hunger Games forever is accomplished, there is very little else to celebrate. This is entertainment for children? Books which are completely absorbing as are these, leave a deep-seated impression that cannot be easily shaken. There is a subtle subconscious psychological impact. In a way, similar to movies and television, the story is such that it almost desensitizes a person to the subject of the torture of children and I feel that is a very dangerous thing. Only someone who has read the entire series will understand what I am saying, here. I would be very interested in knowing what a panel of psychologists would say about the effects of this series on young minds. Whether intentionally or not, to my mind, the series glorifies the torture of children. The movies will do so at a deeper level. I almost have to wonder why the books were written. Supposedly, it was to show the effects of war on children according to one review. But, in reality, these books aren’t about a realistic war, which is bad enough. In reality, there is no-one, no-one who could survive what the author puts the main character through in the games. The series seems to be the product of a twisted mind who has thought up every way imaginable to torture innocent children and present the torture as a story to the world. These books are not the way we want our children’s imaginations to be stirred. Those who will rush to see the movies, which has a big-star line-up, think about what you will be endorsing. Make no mistake, the entire series is about the unmitigated torture of children in as many imaginable forms possible. If we consider these future Hunger Games movies entertainment, then what is that saying about us? Because of the level of violence, sadism and the torture and sacrifice of children, I don’t plan on seeing the movie. And, let’s hope the crazies out there don’t see them, either. I know that everyone is raving about this series….but when people regard a series of books whose entire content is about the extreme, bloody torture of children in every form imaginable, their having to kill each other or be killed ….these are children’s books? Come on. Shame on Scholastic for publishing them. These have to be the most violent children’s books on the planet. They are sadistic in the extreme. I think people have truly lost their minds to support this series and the future movies, I really do.

so whAT

I read the first book and find it truly repulsive and disgusting. Children are selected in a lottery to hunt and kill each other with swords, axes, knives, spears, arrows, mace, bare hands, whatever it takes. The deaths are gruesome, bloody and depraved. When I learned that the series was offered to kids in my daughter’s school I flipped through the rest of the series. It becomes ever more sick and twisted, more horrible deaths of the young and innocent of my daughter’s age. Some of the killings are “off-camera” but most are in your face, described in visceral detail. Perhaps the movies will be cleaned up, playing down the violence or raising the age of the characters. If they made the book honestly it would be rated NC-17 for the bloody slaughter of children by children. I cannot see it scoring less than an R rating without losing the original story substantially. I would not let a young teen read these books. They are horror stories. Nothing wrong with that genre for those old enough to deal with it, but this series should be for adults not children. Chris

I disagree with how the parent has dealt with complaining about said book. However, I do agree that it probably shouldn't be read out loud to a group of 11 year olds. I was 17 when I read the Hunger Games, and it succeeded in leaving me somewhat disturbed. It's a brilliant series of books, just maybe not exactly suitable for 11 year olds.

try reading the book, and see how it is before you criticize the teacher for teaching this.

i think it was good

A parent should always choose what their children learn but should not dictate what another person's child learns. They made the right decision by removing the child from class for that period.

This article was very helpful in an essay i have to do on a banned book. So thanks a ton!! however MLA work cited format sucks.

I love these books and recommend them to (most of) my children and my English students. Yes, they are violent, but it's not graphic (about PG- 13), but the Bible is just as violent (more in some places). It's not about violence. It's about the message, which condemns violence. It's also about oppressive governments, and what they do to maintain control. That's an important lesson for our young people. Of course, every parent needs to assess their own children's sensitivities, and some children may not be suited for this content. But parents...READ THE BOOK before passing judgement. I object strongly to Twilight being read by young people, and it's less violent than Hunger Games. But the message in Twilight is to romanticize disrespectful behavior toward parents, irresponsibility, selfishness, and glamorize lust, sex and suicide. Much worse!

I'm astounded by the ignorance...

I have read the hunger games and I don't think it's that bad. It is definitely appropriate for 11 year olds

I have read this book and It is very inappropriate subject matter for any child under the age of 16 in my opinion. If I would have known the subject matter when it was read aloud in school to my 11 year old daughter, I would have objected. I think adults who read and love the books need to stop the hype about it so the kids won't want to read it. Just because it is able to be read by younger kids (as in reading skill level) does not mean it should be.

WHO EVER SAD THE HUNGER GAMES SHOULD BE BANNED IS UNREAL IT IS THE BEST BOOK EVER