Inappropriate reading book (in my opinion)

missbiggles1

lika_86 wrote: »

Because not every relationship is good and great and teaching children to recognise those that aren't acceptable is a great lesson.

But you need to start with those that are good and appropriate before introducng those that aren't. If you don't do this you run the risk of teaching that abusive relationships are normal and acceptable.

adea

Thank you to all who have replied.
I have read the synopsis of the book and flicked through it.
It is a book that I would like to read and I agree that it sounds based on apartheid and would have no problems with my daughter learning about that but it's the sex scene, underage drinking and pregnancy that I have the problem with and the domestic abuse.
Some of the children in the literacy group are still 10, which I think is too young to read about things like those.
My daughter was extremely uncomfortable when she got to the first kiss part and refused to read it aloud.
I have spoken with another parent whose daughter is 11 and is in the same group and she also feels some of the content inappropriate.

ellesbellesxxx

missbiggles1 wrote: »

But you need to start with those that are good and appropriate before introducng those that aren't. If you don't do this you run the risk of teaching that abusive relationships are normal and acceptable.

^ This.

I am a Primary School Teacher and I am surprised at the content of the book. You would expect to gradually build up to this kind of book, not go straight into quite hardcore issues.
I think it would be very fair to go and discuss this with the Headteacher. Although they are clearly trying to challenge the children, it still needs to be age appropriate.

Jagraf

adea wrote: »

Thank you to all who have replied.
I have read the synopsis of the book and flicked through it.
It is a book that I would like to read and I agree that it sounds based on apartheid and would have no problems with my daughter learning about that but it's the sex scene, underage drinking and pregnancy that I have the problem with and the domestic abuse.
Some of the children in the literacy group are still 10, which I think is too young to read about things like those.
My daughter was extremely uncomfortable when she got to the first kiss part and refused to read it aloud.
I have spoken with another parent whose daughter is 11 and is in the same group and she also feels some of the content inappropriate.

Seriously, until you have read the whole book its difficult to qualify your concern. Forearmed is forewarned.

barbarawright

missbiggles1 wrote: »

But you need to start with those that are good and appropriate before introducng those that aren't. If you don't do this you run the risk of teaching that abusive relationships are normal and acceptable.

Presumably this isn't the first book the child has read

lika_86

barbarawright wrote: »

Presumably this isn't the first book the child has read

Or relationship she will have witnessed.

Tamara_2

I'm a former primary school teacher who's been a full-time children's author for the last 17 years (as well as someone who's read Noughts and Crosses). Most children's publishers print the target age of the reading audience somewhere on the cover of a book, but this is only a guide. Some kids will tear through a book meant for older children, enjoy it and absorb and understand the concept/messages. Other children the same age may be technically able to read the book, but might struggle to understand the complex ideas. Has the teacher given the book out to the whole class, or just to a few selected pupils? If it's been handed out to everyone, then I would agree with you that it's perhaps not appropriate.

pollypenny

I like Malorie Blackman's books, but I would have taught them around Y8 in secondary school.

Andypandyboy

I would have a word with the Head. It may be that an inexperienced NQT has been a little unwise or it may be policy to challenge able students without considering age appropriate material. I wouldn't be happy either.

theoretica

Of course for many kids telling them not to read it will either make them do so, or give it even more emphasis than it has now. This will need to be taken into account in deciding how to deal with this situation.

It is presumably not the content but how it is described. Fairy tales are full of dire relationships and my primary school reading had bullying, suicide, murder (including of a wife) and the holocaust!