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Cover of The Hunger Games

Age rating and parents' guide:The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

Ages 12–14

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is best for children aged 12–14. It has strong violence, intense scary scenes, a little romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: Violence, kids in peril.

In a harsh future North America, sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the annual Hunger Games. Forced into a televised arena where twenty-four teenagers must fight until only one survives, Katniss must rely on her hunting skills and sharp instincts to stay alive. The story is tense, fast-paced, and thought-provoking, drawing older readers in through its fierce protagonist, high-stakes action, and gripping exploration of survival and loyalty.

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Content ratings

How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.

Violence
Strong
Scary moments
Strong
Romance
Mild
Bad language
None

Worth knowing: Violence, kids in peril

Dhiraj Bodade

Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on 21 September 2026.

At a glance

  • ★Novel
  • ★Part of the The Hunger Games series
  • ★A steady start that picks up quickly
  • ★Mostly text
  • ★Emotionally intense
  • ★A good pick for reluctant readers

Reading mood

  • Suspenseful

Books like The Hunger Games

Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.

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    Ages 12–14

    A Night Divided

    by Jennifer A. Nielsen

    When the Berlin Wall goes up overnight in 1961, twelve-year-old Gerta finds her family suddenly torn apart, with her father and middle brother stuck on the western side. Living under the watchful eyes of East German guards, she spots a secret message from her father and realizes he wants her to dig a tunnel beneath the death strip. Together with her brother Fritz, Gerta undertakes an exhausting and dangerous secret mission. It is a tense, suspenseful historical thriller about courage, family devotion, and the desperate longing for freedom.

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  • Cover of Hatchet

    Ages 12–14

    Hatchet

    by Gary Paulsen

    After surviving a fatal plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian finds himself stranded alone in the remote Canadian wilderness. With only the clothes on his back and a hatchet gifted by his mother, he must figure out how to find food, build shelter, and protect himself from wild animals and harsh weather. Along the way, he also grapples with the painful secret behind his parents' divorce. Readers are gripped by the intense survival challenges and Brian's transformation from a helpless city boy to a resourceful survivor.

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  • Cover of The King of Nothing

    Ages 12–14

    The King of Nothing

    by Nathanael Lessore

    Anton is the undisputed king of his crew, spending his days mocking others and playing the part of the untouchable cool kid. But when an unexpected mishap at a school fair completely shatters his tough exterior, his friends turn on him and his social status evaporates overnight. Forced to look at himself honestly for the first time, Anton starts learning what real friendship and self-worth actually mean. Packed with witty dialogue and genuine London teenage banter, it is a funny, heartfelt exploration of teenage masculinity.

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  • Cover of Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard

    Ages 12–14

    Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard

    by Rick Riordan

    After dying in battle, Boston teenager Magnus Chase awakens in Hotel Valhalla and discovers that Norse mythology is entirely real—and he is the son of a god. Tasked with preventing the apocalypse of Ragnarok, Magnus teams up with an elf, a dwarf, and a Valkyrie on a perilous quest across the Nine Worlds to find a missing weapon. Readers love the fast-paced action, sarcastic and witty humor, and inventive modern twist on classic legends.

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  • Cover of Stormbreaker

    Ages 12–14

    Stormbreaker

    by Anthony Horowitz

    Fourteen-year-old Alex Rider thinks his uncle died in a car accident, but he soon discovers his guardian was actually an undercover British spy murdered on a mission. Recruited against his will by MI6, Alex undergoes brutal training and receives high-tech gadgets disguised as everyday items. Sent undercover to Cornwall to investigate an eccentric billionaire's suspicious computer donation to schools, Alex finds himself in constant peril. Packed with cinematic action and narrow escapes, it reads like James Bond for teenagers.

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  • Cover of The War That Saved My Life

    Ages 12–14

    The War That Saved My Life

    by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

    Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room London flat because her cruel mother is ashamed of her clubfoot. When children are evacuated to the countryside during World War II, Ada sneaks away with her little brother Jamie. In a quiet seaside village, they are taken in by Susan Smith, a reluctant guardian dealing with her own grief. Ada learns to ride a pony, read, and trust adults for the first time. It is an emotional, empowering story about resilience and found family.

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Questions parents ask

Q: What age is The Hunger Games for?
The Hunger Games suits children aged 12–14. It is a novel: a steady start that picks up quickly, mostly text.
Q: Is The Hunger Games appropriate for a 12 year old?
Yes. Bookstaken rates it for ages 12–14. It has strong violence, intense scary scenes, a little romance and no bad language. Worth knowing before reading: Violence, kids in peril.
Q: Is The Hunger Games part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the The Hunger Games series. If your child enjoys it, the other The Hunger Games books are the easiest next step.
Q: What should my child read after The Hunger Games?
Try A Night Divided, Hatchet and The King of Nothing. They share the same kind of story and suit the same ages.
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