Overview
If you’re familiar with The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, you already have an idea of the type of young adult, dystopian story writing in store for this second prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping. This is the fifth installment of the series, with the first three books about Katniss Everdeen, followed by the first prequel called The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes about young President Snow. Now, we get young Haymitch’s story, Katniss’s mentor who won the games over two decades prior.
If you’re not familiar with the story, here’s a quick premise of what the Hunger Games are. In the name of political peace in the dystopian country of Panem, there’s a nationally televised event every year in which two kids from each district (or state) are chosen to fight to the death. The Capitol — the elite of Panem — uses these games to exert their power and keep the districts subdued.
Even given this dark and intense setting, The Hunger Games story has been a widely popular young adult series that teens have enjoyed since 2008 with the first book’s release. Despite its popularity, it may not be suitable for all ages. Here’s what parents need to know.
Harmful Content ❗️
As with all the other books, Sunrise on the Reaping has scenes of graphic violence, severe hardships, and emotional turmoil. Aside from the violence (which is detailed more below), characters experience starvation, oppression, addiction to alcohol, and more. Overall, the book has a heavy and depressed tone, as Haymitch spirals more and more into hopelessness after a number of failed attempts to stand up against the Capitol.
Language
Adult language is used sparsely, with the occasional “hell” or “a**.”
Sex
Sex is not present in Sunrise on the Reaping. There is romance between Haymitch and his lover, but they are only described as kissing and having a secret rendezvous in the woods.
Violence
Both inside and outside of the Games, there are many deaths and violent scenes. Some of the more gruesome deaths include someone getting an axe lodged in their head and mutated rodents eating someone to the bone. Aside from physical harms, characters also experience emotional trauma and manipulation from the Capitol. Haymitch continuously grieves the loss of many friends and family, and struggles with the guilt of feeling responsible for their deaths.
Positive Value 💫
In the beginning of the book, 16-year-old Haymitch is a hopeful, tenacious, and courageous young man with a deep sense of responsibility to protect those around him. Through his journey in the Games, he bravely challenges the Capitol and makes significant sacrifices for the greater good.
A prevalent theme throughout the whole series is the importance of hope and that injustice needs to be resisted. In this book specifically, we see Haymitch try multiple times to resist, but ultimately succumbs to the hopelessness until Katniss comes along decades later. This teaches that everyone has the chance to redeem themselves and commit to a greater cause when the opportunity arises.
So, should my kid read it?
Due to the intensity of the violence and the morbid plot, we’d say this book is better for ages 14 and up. It definitely requires a higher level of maturity to understand some of the adult concepts, so be sure to consider your child specifically and what you feel they can handle.
