Do you think there's an appropriate age to introduce children to certain books?
My brother was 7 and tried to take Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass out of our school's library, but the school librarian wouldn't let him. She said that he wouldn't understand it and then he'd lose confidence in his ability to read. My dad had to come into the school and tell the librarian that any book my brother wanted to take out she should let him take. I could not believe that a librarian of all people would prevent the distribution of good books. I think there are books which make more sense at one time of life or another, and I think that if I were a parent there are definitely books I wouldn't buy my 10 year old, or let them read if a copy was lying about. That said, I don't think there's a hard and fast numerical answer to this question. It's not about age, it's about maturity- which is a wishy-washy non-answer in all honesty, but it's also the truth. If a child (or a person) is earnestly willing to consider the theme of a book, and to apply themselves to it, I don't see a reason to keep them from reading it, barring pornography.
That just sounds like a bad librarian. I agree with your point, especially seeing as how everybody matures at a different rate. The only limitation for what a person should be able to read is what book is available at the library.
I devoured books during my childhood. By age 11, I was carrying around tomes heavier than the rest of my backpack. I think there isn't a specific "age" where certain things are appropriate, but rather levels of maturity and intellectual appetite. Since my mother did not like reading, and English was her second language, I could pretty much take home anything without explicit sex on the cover home. I took advantage of this early on, graduating from things like Goosebumps in the 2nd grade to reading Stephen King and Dean Koontz novels in the 3rd and 4th. There are certain themes that might be completely inappropriate for most children, though. I was handed Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty series as a 14 year-old and never quite recovered.
Good question. I was just visiting family for the holidays and I have a young cousin that is 10 years old and she is reading the Hunger Games. The basic plot: When I was 10 I remember reading Roald Dahl books.The Hunger Games are an annual event in which one boy and one girl aged 12–18 from each of the twelve districts surrounding the Capitol are selected by lottery to compete in a televised battle to the death.
this seems pretty dark imo for a 10 year old girl to read, but if her parents don't care who am I to judge? They told me she is a voracious reader, at least that's good.
I think that's awesome. Hunger Games is way more thematically deep than most children's lit. I like that it's so popular. Beats the shit out of the babysitter's club. Hopefully all these kids are learning about totalitarianism and the media's role in propping up the government.
Dystopia for all youth should be mandatory. Oh, you'll mow the lawn mister or I'll bring the apocalypse down on you. Truth is most good parents know what their kids are capable of consuming. I started reading Stephen King books when I was 12. Miss those days, had some pretty good times being freaked out by Flagg.
I started with Eyes of the Dragon and fell in love with King. I haven't read any of his books as an adult and I don't think I will. I'm afraid I won't like them anymore and I prefer to remember his work with fondness. I spent a lot of time reading and re-reading his work. Edit: I don't blame you. IT was a scary story, for sure. The book is so much more disturbing.