Yes, excellent. They are pretty hardy and won't die quickly without food, so they make an ideal child's pet. They are considered true pets, because they are docile and pose no kind of threat to children. They are also slow moving and easy to handle.
I've heard they get mites. What's the deal with that?
They do not effect humans or other animals, but yes, they do get a form of mites. If you use a substrate (a ground covering, like wood shavings) and don't change it often, you can get mites. They will suck your cockroach dry, but are easy to treat. Shaking the cockroaches in a bag of flour is one way, although this must be repeated often.
-from the Giant Hissing Cockroach FAQ