DS read the Hunger Games at 8y (3rd grade) and loved it.

My 5th grader enjoyed it. When he was finished, I figured What the heck? and read it also. I liked it a lot! It's not going to win literature awards, but it's very exciting, it's a quick read, and you care about the characters.

Also, it brings up an interesting situation: Some of the teens are "unlikeable" (to say the least!) in the context of the story, but you also have to realize that they're only trying to survive.

OP here. Thank you for the many helpful replies. Since this will be a gift for a friend's daughter, I will err on the side of caution and find an alternative series. I will look into the titles suggested.

I didn't want my 10 YO DS to read the Hunger Games series, concerned it was too violent. But his 5th grade teacher had copies available in her room. So I let him -- I am not one for book banning -- he liked the series, although I think some of it may have gone over his head. I think mainly it was appealing to be up on a book trend. So it worked out OK, although I was reluctant.

I think it depends on the kid. Check here for specifics...https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-hunger-games-book-1

Not all dystopia themed, but any book by Margaret Peterson Haddix is a good bet for a compelling read. Double Identity and Running Out of Time are particularly good. Here's a dystopia themed one by her too...Shadow Children is a great series...https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/among-the-hidden-shadow-children-book-1

Totally depends on your kid. The last thing with a 10 y/o I would be concerned about is "literary value". If a 10 y/o chooses to read who cares what it is (within reason of course).

My DD read it at age 10. She's not particularly mature. It went fine.

Suzanne Collins has a book series geared toward younger readers, in addition to the Hunger Games. My daughter loved the Gregor the Overlander series of hers.

My ten year old niece read it and really enjoyed it until midway through the third book. Then it became really upsetting to her.

I think if a kid is going to read a dystopian book, showing this absolutely sad and senseless death to an innocent baby is a clear way to show the contrast between a Utopian society and dystopian society. The Hunger Games muddles it up because Katniss "has to" kill other children, making it less of an obvious choice about who is right.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would read The Giver and see how that goes first.

I actually found The Giver more disturbing, especially the euthanasia of the redundant twin baby.

PP here. Excuse me, I misspoke, It most most certainly murder, not euthanasia.

Yes, that was a bit difficult, but I think it was highlighted more in the movie. It is more disturbing if you are a twin.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would read The Giver and see how that goes first.

I actually found The Giver more disturbing, especially the euthanasia of the redundant twin baby.

PP here. Excuse me, I misspoke, It most most certainly murder, not euthanasia.

Anonymous wrote:I would read The Giver and see how that goes first.

I actually found The Giver more disturbing, especially the euthanasia of the redundant twin baby.

My son has read all of the books listed in this thread. He's 12 now, but I've never limited him on the books he chooses to read. As far as "good" literature goes, he gets that from his assigned novels in reading/English class in school.

The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld is good