I would if they were reading at an adult level. May as well, they would be reading everything else with f words and such.
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I just started reading Carrie, and although there are alot of teenage elements that I felt were very applicable to teenagers, especially the humiliation that could result from bullying and social exclusion, but I felt it was still a little hardcore in terms of the themes and implications of those themes. For example, the sexual references were obvious and phrases like "taken it in the mouth" can pull off parents when discovered while flipping through the material.
I know many of you started reading Stephen when you were very young, but when it comes to your own kids, would you? Would you hand him or her a dog-eared paperback of Carrie without a hint of regret? Do humor me...
Depends on the age of the child, but yes, I would and have. 3 of my 4 kids (all teens) are huge fans. All three read their first King at around 13-14. My youngest is 7, so he's not quite ready for EYES OF THE DRAGON--but that day is coming fast!
Mr. King is a fabulous writer, especially of dialogue and in characterization (to my mind). Kids are drawn to him not because he tries to fit into whatever genre is currently in vogue, but because he's a STORYTELLER, and he doesn't pander or talk down. Most of his stories are fabulously moral, even, at their core. His people (leading characters) are people, real people, so they often screw up, but at their basic level most are trying to do good. That's a lesson every kid needs.
One of my sons hooked into Goosebump books. He never wanted to read so the fact that he liked these, I was encouraging him. The teacher told him that those books were crap and she would not accept them for any assignment where they had to read.Yes and I did. My son in primary school read Christine much to his teacher's horror (she thought he should be reading Harry Potter - much to my horror!). I politely pointed out that I had read the book and deemed it ok for him to read (he was about 9 at the time) and if children were upset (which she claimed they were) then they shouldn't be looking in his reading folder. Also pointed out that boys are typically bad readers and she should be encouraging him rather than stopping him. Also said each child was different and if they could handle and understand the adult material then they should be allowed to read the books they wanted.
My oldest daughter was the same way--a voluntary non-reader (though she could read well)--until she picked up TWILIGHT. Say what you will about the quality of the writing (and I had a few thoughts--lol), I'm just grateful that it got her reading for pleasure. She didn't stop there, or even with YA authors (another thing for which I'm grateful), and now she's in her second AP English class and doing great. In fact, she's about the only one who has finished their latest assignment, CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, and she thought it was easy. All because she picked up a dorky sparkle-vamp story and it turned her inner reading light onOne of my sons hooked into Goosebump books. He never wanted to read so the fact that he liked these, I was encouraging him. The teacher told him that those books were crap and she would not accept them for any assignment where they had to read.
Needless to say, I had a discussion with the teacher about her attitude. My son got to read his Goosebumps.
That's great skimom! Stephanie Meyers (or whatever her name is) might be crap for adults but if it gets a young person reading - that's a good thing. When I was young I read some of my Mom's Frank Yerby books and thought they were good. Now I don't think I could read them - too much drama.My oldest daughter was the same way--a voluntary non-reader (though she could read well)--until she picked up TWILIGHT. Say what you will about the quality of the writing (and I had a few thoughts--lol), I'm just grateful that it got her reading for pleasure. She didn't stop there, or even with YA authors (another thing for which I'm grateful), and now she's in her second AP English class and doing great. In fact, she's about the only one who has finished their latest assignment, CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, and she thought it was easy. All because she picked up a dorky sparkle-vamp story and it turned her inner reading light on
This son is a sophomore in college and is an English major. Doing very well. Whatever they hook into to read, let them!My oldest daughter was the same way--a voluntary non-reader (though she could read well)--until she picked up TWILIGHT. Say what you will about the quality of the writing (and I had a few thoughts--lol), I'm just grateful that it got her reading for pleasure. She didn't stop there, or even with YA authors (another thing for which I'm grateful), and now she's in her second AP English class and doing great. In fact, she's about the only one who has finished their latest assignment, CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, and she thought it was easy. All because she picked up a dorky sparkle-vamp story and it turned her inner reading light on
My daughter is 11 and I'm still waiting for this to happen. She reads well enough at school but has no interest for reading for pleasure..I think and hope, that being such a big reader myself at some point she too will find something that "turns on her inner reading light" (love the expression!)My oldest daughter was the same way--a voluntary non-reader (though she could read well)--until she picked up TWILIGHT. Say what you will about the quality of the writing (and I had a few thoughts--lol), I'm just grateful that it got her reading for pleasure. She didn't stop there, or even with YA authors (another thing for which I'm grateful), and now she's in her second AP English class and doing great. In fact, she's about the only one who has finished their latest assignment, CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, and she thought it was easy. All because she picked up a dorky sparkle-vamp story and it turned her inner reading light on
I would. Especially Carrie. So far I was trying to do it with my cousin (she is 15), and she has already read Carrie and Pet Sematary, she loved both. Anyway, the most important thing is that children read at all, because as I see it, children don't read now. That's great if Stephen King can be interesting for them and it will make them take a book.
Yes and I did. My son in primary school read Christine much to his teacher's horror (she thought he should be reading Harry Potter - much to my horror!). I politely pointed out that I had read the book and deemed it ok for him to read (he was about 9 at the time) and if children were upset (which she claimed they were) then they shouldn't be looking in his reading folder. Also pointed out that boys are typically bad readers and she should be encouraging him rather than stopping him. Also said each child was different and if they could handle and understand the adult material then they should be allowed to read the books they wanted.
My oldest daughter was the same way--a voluntary non-reader (though she could read well)--until she picked up TWILIGHT. Say what you will about the quality of the writing (and I had a few thoughts--lol), I'm just grateful that it got her reading for pleasure. She didn't stop there, or even with YA authors (another thing for which I'm grateful), and now she's in her second AP English class and doing great. In fact, she's about the only one who has finished their latest assignment, CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, and she thought it was easy. All because she picked up a dorky sparkle-vamp story and it turned her inner reading light on
One of my sons hooked into Goosebump books. He never wanted to read so the fact that he liked these, I was encouraging him. The teacher told him that those books were crap and she would not accept them for any assignment where they had to read.
Needless to say, I had a discussion with the teacher about her attitude. My son got to read his Goosebumps.
I agree with you. There should still be some control. But children must have a right to choose what to read, watch or listen. And I do not think that books, movie or music can damage a person, either. I mean, people don't become bad if they watch action movies or horrors, for example, and having nightmares may have nothing to do with horror stories, too.I don't think I have been damaged in any way by books I have read, music I have listened to or movies I have seen. But, if the children started getting nightmares, I think I would check what they were reading.