Inappropriate reading book (in my opinion)

cat4772

I read three of Malorie Blackman's Naughts and Crosses books a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed them (there appear to be two more in print that I will be adding to my "to read" list shortly).

I'm not sure the topic is suitable for a 10 year old; at 10 I remember getting flustered and uncomfortable if I saw a woman wearing a bikini whist watching TV with my dad (let alone a man and woman kissing). But that could have been caused by the familial banter "cover yer eyes kid, they'll be kissing soon" rather than a genuine embarrassment.

I read Roald Dahl and Judy Blume at primary school (I was at middle between 9 and 13 years old) and some of those books feature issues that are definitely not for younger children. I can't remember which book I put down and wouldn't read for a couple of years but enjoyed when I re-read it. By the time I left middle school, I'd read a Mills and Boon (never go stay at Grandma's house and forget yer book - my choices were her library romance or some dusty, weighty tome about calculating tax in 1950:eek:) and by 14 had definitely read parts of Shirley Conran's Lace once or twice!

I'd certainly ask the teacher's about the reading material and the lesson plans relating to the teaching material.

Cat.x

maman

lika_86 wrote: »

I don't think it's all down to nurture though, my sister and I were both raised in the same way, always read to or reading at bedtime, there were always library trips and books around and yet I am a voracious reader and my sister never picks up more than a magazine. She always wants to be on the go and doing something, I can sit quietly for hours. I think personalities are involved as much as anything.

Same here. If my brother picks up the Argos catalogue that's a bonus!!:rotfl:

Furgitude wrote: »

We used to sing puff the magic dragon back in my primary school days. I dont think a song about smoking heroin was suitable for children :-s

The dragon was gay in our version.:o

Jagraf

How did it go at the school, adea?

adea

Jagraf wrote: »

How did it go at the school, adea?

We didn't go up today as I've not been feeling well today but we will go tomorrow as soon as school finishes at 3.30.
I will update on how it went tomorrow afternoon.

bylromarha

Ames wrote: »

It was 'Forever' when I was at school. Year 7 and we all read and re read p72 with the sex scene.

Are You There, God... confused me a bit - the descriptions of sanitary wear were well out of date by the time I read it (age about 13 and I'd had my period for three years then anyway) and it was years before I realised why the American girls made such a big deal out of 'menstrooooation'.

Ditto and ditto!!!! The sanitary belts and hooks confused me too in Margaret.

But Forever... I still remember the "controversy" over that. I went to an all girls school and the book was only allowed in the upper school library for year 10 upwards!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

emsywoo123 wrote: »

This bit jumps out as something I want to ask - (I cannot comment on the book as I have not read it) but your DD still reads out loud? Does everyone's 11 year old do that? My DD is 11 also, but not read out loud for years!

She has a kindle and reads a huge variety, they are studying the boy in the striped pajamas at the mo - I seem to recall that is quite heavy in terms of themes and material as well!

We had staff on hand with tissues for watching that - there were kids in pieces at the end, and that was with secondary school kids who had already studied the holocaust.

My DD2 studied excerpts of Anne Frank in year six. DD1 read Malorie Blackman books, too. Neither were traumatised or behaving inappropriately as a result.


By year 7, my school was filled with kids passing round bonk busters by Jackie Collins, Shirley Conran and the like specifically for the graphic sex scenes. I never looked at a person who said they had a fish tank in their bedroom in the same way from then on. And some of the rape scenes were horrific.

Far better that a kid reads a book designed for youngsters, designed to raise issues and be discussed with teachers.

catkins

When I worked in a bookshop this book was in the section for over 14's

BWZN93

Penguin123 wrote: »

My 9 year old was given the Hunger games to read at school. I took it off him and spoke to the teacher. He is very good at reading but I felt the subject matter was too advanced for him.
His teacher was not bothered despite the author suggesting that her book as aimed at 12 years and older.

My view is just because he can read something doesn't mean he should- I did suggest to hubby that I send him in with fifty shades - he's perfectly able to read the text whether it is suitable is another matter!

Hardly a good comparison - fifty shades is so turgidly written I'm surprised it was even published. The Hunger Games on the other hand actually is very well written and covers some good moral concepts for children to consider behind the safety of a page.

To all those who seem shocked about books, honestly - I think it's all a bit melodramatic. I read Flowers in the Attic by Virginia Andrews at 8 years old and vaguely understood the concepts and 'grown up' books expanded my vocabulary, spelling and no doubt; my mind and my moral compass.

I suggest we all stop considering children to be nothing more than ignorant imbeciles incapable of learning and expanding further than you think. Pre-teen is a really good age to engage with them on difficult topics before they learn to associate them with the shame and embarrassment adults often have already tagged these subjects with.

Give kids the credit they are due - they are way smarter than you think.

meritaten

JoBatch80 wrote: »

Hardly a good comparison - fifty shades is so turgidly written I'm surprised it was even published. The Hunger Games on the other hand actually is very well written and covers some good moral concepts for children to consider behind the safety of a page.

To all those who seem shocked about books, honestly - I think it's all a bit melodramatic. I read Flowers in the Attic by Virginia Andrews at 8 years old and vaguely understood the concepts and 'grown up' books expanded my vocabulary, spelling and no doubt; my mind and my moral compass.

I suggest we all stop considering children to be nothing more than ignorant imbeciles incapable of learning and expanding further than you think. Pre-teen is a really good age to engage with them on difficult topics before they learn to associate them with the shame and embarrassment adults often have already tagged these subjects with.

Give kids the credit they are due - they are way smarter than you think.

Totally agree - those kids who think the book is way out of their comfort zone and don't want to read it should be listened to.
It isn't about what YOU read at 8 years old. its about a child reading a book they don't understand and are not comfortable with.
tbh - you come across as advocating 'force reading' for children. I prefer letting children read at their own level - and you are right, children DO know what books are right for them. we should listen to them. and not think 'Oh this is an award winning book - MY child MUST read that!

iammumtoone

JoBatch80 wrote: »

I read Flowers in the Attic by Virginia Andrews at 8 years old

You read that at 8 :eek: cover to cover? I am not talking about the content or degree of understanding. I am referring to the fact it is a thick book with small writing, I can't image any 8 year old working their way through it!