Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Exciting, dramatic—and bloody—sci-fi trilogy finale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 54 parent reviews
Parents say the final book in the Hunger Games series evokes mixed feelings, with some praising its depth and political nuances while others express disappointment over character development and themes of violence and despair. Many reviews highlight the significant mature content, including graphic violence and mental health issues, making it less suitable for younger audiences, despite its engaging plot and critical lessons on war and society.
- political depth
- character disappointment
- graphic violence
- mental health themes
- mature audience
- engaging plot
Summarized with AI
Based on 307 kid reviews
What's the Story?
MOCKINGJAY begins with Katniss having been rescued from the Hunger Games arena and transported safely to District 13 with a group of rebels led by district president Alma Coin. Katniss knows that her rescue was orchestrated so that she could become the symbol of the resistance—the Mockingjay. She agrees to help the rebels by shooting propaganda films that hijack TV sets across the country of Panem as battles rage in the districts and move ever closer to the Capitol. Katniss also knows that her dear friend Peeta is in danger—tortured, brainwashed, and used by President Snow as leverage against her. Rescuing Peeta from Snow's brutal retribution isn't the only risky plan at play—Katniss is also determined to assassinate Snow, whether she has Coin's approval or not.
Is It Any Good?
Readers won't return to the Hunger Games arena in this original trilogy finale, but there's plenty of action to draw readers in and twists to keep you wondering how it will all end. Plus, in Mockingjay Collins continues to add depth to the Hunger Games series, asking readers to consider what's justified in war or to maintain order in societies. She adds so many shades of gray—how propaganda is used to sway people and what it means to be seen as a symbol more than a person—that readers will be left with food for thought.
Katniss is still the tormented, conflicted character who doesn't see herself as a hero figure. This amps up the melodrama at times, as does her love triangle. Who will she choose? Are you Team Gale or Team Peeta? And, yes, she does finally decide.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of Mockingjay: The Hunger Games, Book 3. What do you think has made the Hunger Games books so successful? How does it compare to other popular series, like Percy Jackson and Twilight?
How does the book portray the media? What role does it play in the war? Can you see any similarities between the way media is used in the book and the role that it plays in our lives today?
How do characters show courage, perseverance, and self-control? How are these character strengths important to the rebel cause?
If you've seen the films, how do the books compare? What do you think are some of the challenges of bringing a series like this to the screen?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Nico Delort
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Dystopia
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Self-control
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Press
- Publication date : August 24, 2010
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 390
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : August 31, 2026
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