Inappropriate reading book (in my opinion)

Brighton_belle

meritaten wrote: »

I got the impression she thought the book dealt with issues which children get no control over? that they were issues adults should be dealing with (and aren't).

But at 14, that would be a perfect subject to discuss in class. "Are these issues children have no control over" (how we treat others who are different etc) It's a superb book for challenging how we see society/racism etc., and turns how we see society on it's head in the most thought provoking way.
Remember there are campaigns for the voting age to be lowered to 16. So I would certain expect 14 year olds to be introduced to life in the wider world.
I wouldn't give it to 10/11 year old though, but 14 I would say it is a very good book for discussion in the same way that the Hunger Games are not suitable for Primary school children but definitely for 14 year olds.
(Harry Potter does have torture scenes in it and death and I don't think the last couple of books are automatically suitable for every 10 year old either.)

Brighton_belle

Nicki wrote: »

It is about a society which practises apartheid and the story of two kids on either side of the divide and how their lives differ.

But it is so clever in challenging our assumptions, where in this world, being white brings privilege even in societies that don't practise apartheid. It challenges any deeply imbedded racism we may not even realise we have as individuals, because it turns every preconception of automatic white privilege we have on its head.

lika_86

To me it's funny people talking about ages, in my school people were snogging by the age of 11 and it certainly was something everyone knew about even if they weren't doing it and at least some girls I knew (I can't speak for the boys) started having sex at 13. So this idea that 11 year olds are innocent and naive (even after sex education) is a bit odd. Obviously not everyone will be doing those things at that age, but some kids will, just as some kids will have witnessed domestic violence at home. But maybe my school was just a bit more worldly.

Nicki

Brighton_belle wrote: »

But it is so clever in challenging our assumptions, where in this world, being white brings privilege even in societies that don't practise apartheid. It challenges any deeply imbedded racism we may not even realise we have as individuals, because it turns every preconception of automatic white privilege we have on its head.

That too. And this is also an issue which some 11 year olds would be more than capable of understanding and discussing with adult support.

Brighton_belle

Nicki wrote: »

That too. And this is also an issue which some 11 year olds would be more than capable of understanding and discussing with adult support.

Yes, I completely agree. I wouldn't stop any 11 year old who wanted to read it from doing so.

iammumtoone

Nicki wrote: »

That too. And this is also an issue which some 11 year olds would be more than capable of understanding and discussing with adult support.

I don't think anyone is disagreeing that some 11 years old will be mature enough for the book, just not 50% of them as is the case of the OPs daughter school.

In KS3 there will be a lot more levels of sets maybe 5 or 6 (sorry I can't remember the amount there was at my secondary school it was too long ago!!). Meaning only 16-20% will be studying it, perhaps the top level in the first year then the lower levels will get to study it later on in KS3 when they are ready.

meritaten

lika_86 wrote: »

To me it's funny people talking about ages, in my school people were snogging by the age of 11 and it certainly was something everyone knew about even if they weren't doing it and at least some girls I knew (I can't speak for the boys) started having sex at 13. So this idea that 11 year olds are innocent and naive (even after sex education) is a bit odd. Obviously not everyone will be doing those things at that age, but some kids will, just as some kids will have witnessed domestic violence at home. But maybe my school was just a bit more worldly.

Yes - In some ways I agree - but that was in the private world of 'kids'. no adults allowed! it wasn't something we wanted to have in the school 'syllabus' and to be 'Discussed' in class. but that would have been at Secondary level. at Primary level we were still expected to be 'children'. and although we had 'heard' of these matters - they didn't impact on our lives. and I think would have been way beyond our comprehension.

meritaten

Yes, she is sensible and aware of 'issues'. a lovely girl. her sister read a few pages and hated it. (Twin Sister - exactly the same age). I think she said she was 13 nearly 14 when she read it. I trust her judgement that even at the recommended age it isn't for ALL children.

Brighton_belle

Frankenstein and The Lord of the Flies are on the GSCE reading list for 14 year olds. I'd hate them now let alone at 14. So yes. individual reading tastes will always apply, but at GCSE you do have to read adult books you may not enjoy.

meritaten

Brighton_belle wrote: »

Frankenstein and The Lord of the Flies are on the GSCE reading list for 14 year olds. I'd hate them now let alone at 14. So yes. individual reading tastes will always apply, but at GCSE you do have to read adult books you may not enjoy.

But that is at an age when you can read and 'understand' but not 'connect' with a book. as my niece quite succinctly put it 'its too full'.