My neighbor told their 8 year-old daughter they could see the Hunger Games if they read the book first. I was very confused by this and asked them if they thought it was appropriate for them, and she told me that she wouldn't let her see it last year because she was too young, but now she's "more mature" and "ready". She also said the book would be a good introduction to help not make the movie scarier. I then asked her if she read the book before and she said no. I didn't feel like telling her the book was much more graphic and violent than the movie, because it's to teach one's own. I'm not calling my neighbor a bad mom, I'm just saying it might be a little inappropriate for an 8 year-old. I think you should be old enough to participate in the Hunger Games in order to read it/see it.