Would you let your 8 yo read Twilight?

[zeldamomma]

She's read the HP series and Narnia, so some violence doesn't bother her. I haven't had a chance to read the Twilight series- is there anything really offensive in it? I read some of the Twilight thread that mentioned Bella letting Edward win every argument, but frankly I can't imagine my dd letting ANYONE boss her around, so I'm not real worried about that.

Thanks for any feedback!

ZM

[Oriole]

I think if a child has enough maturity and interest in a given topic, I wouldn't censor any of the books that she may choose to read. Both Twilight and Chronicles of Narnia are written for an older audience, and an average 8 year old is not going to be interested in reading them anyway. If you have a child capable comprehending text and enjoying literature written on the hight level, I would assume she possesses enough understanding of the world to enjoy the books, then I wouldn't worry about it.

I can't imagine an 8 year old enjoying a book that appeals for its sexual tension. If she does enjoy Twilight, I would have to assume that it's for the adventure part of it. I personally would see no problem at all with Chronicles of Narnia.

Did she ask for these books, or are you looking for something to suggest to her?

[Jenifer76]

I would have to know the child to make that decision. There's a lot of sexual tension but maybe that's something I perceive as an adult. She might miss it.

[mom2snugbugs]

Originally Posted by Oriole

I can't imagine an 8 year old enjoying a book that appeals for its sexual tension. If she does enjoy Twilight, I would have to assume that it's for the adventure part of it.

I would definitely read it first before you decide to read it. IMO, she would probably be bored

[SharonAnne]

I'm not into censorship of any kind, really, but I don't know if I'd let an 8yo read Twilight. NOT because of Twilight, but because of the final book, Breaking Dawn. Much of it was disturbing to me, at 32yo. I think it would be unfair to tell her that she could read all the Twilight books, except this one. So I might keep the series under wraps for a few years.

Of course, this is dependent on your daughter. I really suggest you read them first, and if you think she can handle it, then go for it.

[Ackray]

No way! I blushed reading some parts.

And the last book would be completely inappropriate for her. I think it's inappropriate for most teenagers.

[savvybabygrace]

Originally Posted by sharonanne

i'm not into censorship of any kind, really, but i don't know if i'd let an 8yo read twilight. Not because of twilight, but because of the final book, breaking dawn. Much of it was disturbing to me, at 32yo. I think it would be unfair to tell her that she could read all the twilight books, except this one. So i might keep the series under wraps for a few years.

Of course, this is dependent on your daughter. I really suggest you read them first, and if you think she can handle it, then go for it.

ita.

[mom2tristan04]

I wouldn't. There's a lot more sexual tension than I'd be comfortable with my eight year old reading. I also think the violence in it is more disturbing than either Harry Potter or Narnia.

[Ruthla]

The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter are MUCH more appropriate for an 8yo than the Twilight series.

Narnia deals with violence to some degree, but its' all from the POV of children. In every single book, there's at least one prepubescent human character. HP also deals with some violence, and it gets rather "dark" by the end of the series, but it's still from the POV of a teenager. The romance doesn't get any further than "snogging", even when marriage is being discussed.

In Twilight, there's sexual tension throughout the whole series. In the first book, it's a typical high school romance (except that it's a vampire she falls in love with). Then there's some more romance, broken hearts, choosing which boy to date, etc, stuff in the later books- but the first 3 don't get into these things any more than Harry Potter. But, some of the "thirst for blood" stuff is definitely more graphic than anything in HP or Narnia. Both show violence and killing, but not in the "your scent is so tempting it makes me want to drink your blood" kind of way.

But the 4th book goes into somewhat graphic detail of a marraige being consummated. I'm OK with my 12yo reading it, in large part because of the context (ie: wedding night, not just boyfriend/girlfriend) but I don't think I'd have let any of my kids read this before starting puberty. There's also a somewhat violent aspect to the sex that doesn't (or anyway shouldn't) exist in real life. With my 12yo and 14yos, I'm ready to discuss the ways in which this portrayal of sex differs from IRL sex, and explain what aspects of the descriptions in the book would make for an unhealthy relationship IRL. This isn't something I'd be comfortable discussing with an 8yo.

There's also some pretty whacky pregnancy stuff (that goes above and beyond "real life" pregnancy and birth) that IMO needs to be countered with a lot of "this is what normal pg and birth are like for normal humans" to avoid imbedding a fear of birth into her psyche. And some descriptions of vampire children that, while outwardly not really any more graphic than something like Dementors, could make children feel especially vulnerable while reading it.

ETA: if you're looking for more books to recomend to her, I'd suggest The Hobbit and then the Lord of the Rings books. The writing is a bit harder than HP and Narnia, but there's nothing innapropriate for children in any of the books. There is violence (and some fairly graphic descriptions of Medeival war techniques) but overall it's about Good fighting Evil, lots of action and adventure, etc.

[joensally]

DD's 9.5, has a late HS reading level, has read Narnia and HP. I was also a precocious reader and have strong memories of reading things I was capable of reading, but wasn't ready to read. I've read Narnia and HP, and I'm on book 4 of Twilight.

It's dreck. True dreck. Twilight in particular is tremendously poorly written. They're fun stories, and from the perspective of an adult women who sees the archetypes and storytelling traditions represented, it's an entertaining read. I was about 4/5ths of the way through Twilight and suggested to DH that maybe she could read it - then I read the final bit and realized we should forget that.

There is soooo much good fiction targetted to the 9-12 level reader. Percy Jackson, Grimm Sisters, Pendragon, Lantern something or other... Honestly, hit the library and/or bookstore and spend some time with a knowledgable lover of children's fiction. Introduce your DD to the classics. We have exploding bookshelves, full of series that DD inhales. All of which are tremendously better written than Twilight.

[journeymom]

I think an eight year old would be bored and baffled by Twilight. The whole point of it will go over her head. The action isn't that worth while. There's tons of other stuff that will be more interesting to her. It's not the edginess issue, but why would an eight year old read a teen love story, when there are better stories out there?

Originally Posted by joensally

There is soooo much good fiction targetted to the 9-12 level reader. Percy Jackson, Grimm Sisters, Pendragon, Lantern something or other... Honestly, hit the library and/or bookstore and spend some time with a knowledgable lover of children's fiction. Introduce your DD to the classics. We have exploding bookshelves, full of series that DD inhales. All of which are tremendously better written than Twilight.

Agreed.

[enkmom]

My daughter has always been a voracious reader, and has been reading at or above a high school level since she was in 3rd grade. I never kept her from reading anything she wanted to read, but I often read a book concurrently with her, and we would discuss it.

Has your daughter asked to read it? If not, perhaps you could steer her in another direction. If she wants to read it, it may be to be part of the phenomenon, and one book may satisfy her curiosity. If I were you, I would let her read it if she has asked, and plan on reading along with her until she is finished (or bored).

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by joensally

There is soooo much good fiction targetted to the 9-12 level reader. Percy Jackson, Grimm Sisters, Pendragon, Lantern something or other... Honestly, hit the library and/or bookstore and spend some time with a knowledgable lover of children's fiction. Introduce your DD to the classics. We have exploding bookshelves, full of series that DD inhales. All of which are tremendously better written than Twilight.

ITA. It is not something I could see as having enough value to actively introduce. It is actually written at a lower level than HP and written not nearly as well. I would encourage some of the other excellent literature out there instead.

[KaraBoo]

My friend just bought this for her 10yr old. I cautioned her to read it first then she'll be able to talk about it with her daughter.

I don't "let" my dd read or not read books. I don't censor. Yet, we do have lots of discussions about characters and authors' intentions and such.

So far, even though two of her friends read the book (and one saw the movie), my 10yr old has zero interest in Twilight. She reads voraciously but still, this series isn't something she is seeking out.

[KaraBoo]

Ruthla, I like your comparisons, by the way, to HP and LOTR. IMO, those are better-written books, by a mile.

[Aubergine68]

My 10 1/2 yr old has been reading and rereading the series (we've been talking about it quite a bit).

She was given a copy of Twilight a year ago and wasn't ready, but basically hit puberty over the summer and got into the series in a big way.

We are using Twilight as a jumping off point for (endless) conversations about romance, relationships and sexuality. What is it like to be in love? Do you tingle when you kiss Daddy? Etc.

I'm so very glad that we are having these conversations now, before dd becomes a teenager and stops talking to her parents about such things (and she will, if she is anything like I was).

But I wish I had fully considered how much in Twilight would be new for her before I'd let her read the book. This series really seems to be shaping her developing ideas about sexuality in a big way. I am sure there are far worse literary sources she could be researching (internet porn, anyone?), but is really it the *best* literary sourcebook for her ideas about sexuality and romance?

I wouldn't necessarily censor an 8 yr old who really wanted to from reading it, but I'd strongly suggest you preview it and plan to read it with her.

[becoming]

Barring hardcore pornography, we don't censor literature, television, movies, or music in our house. So yes, I would let her read it. I probably wouldn't personally *encourage* it (as in, tell her all about it and ask if she wants to read it), but if she came to me asking if she could read it, I would allow it.

[SAHDS]

Originally Posted by joensally

It's dreck. True dreck. Twilight in particular is tremendously poorly written. They're fun stories, and from the perspective of an adult women who sees the archetypes and storytelling traditions represented, it's an entertaining read. I was about 4/5ths of the way through Twilight and suggested to DH that maybe she could read it - then I read the final bit and realized we should forget that.

There is soooo much good fiction targetted to the 9-12 level reader. Percy Jackson, Grimm Sisters, Pendragon, Lantern something or other... Honestly, hit the library and/or bookstore and spend some time with a knowledgable lover of children's fiction. Introduce your DD to the classics. We have exploding bookshelves, full of series that DD inhales. All of which are tremendously better written than Twilight.

I agree with everything written. Even I gave up on Twilight after book 3. Boring, not well written and way too much bubble-gum fluff.

There are so many better books out there.

[Oriole]

I think every book is enjoyed best when read at the right time, and 8 doesn't seem like the right time for Twilight.

Originally Posted by KaraBoo

Ruthla, I like your comparisons, by the way, to HP and LOTR. IMO, those are better-written books, by a mile.

I agree that The Hobbit might be fun for an advanced reader! There are so many beautiful editions! At the same time, I would guess that LOTR is a bit too much for an eight year old (even with advanced reading skills, kwim?).

I also wonder, when we say "this is a better written book", does it really matter if you enjoy reading the other one more?

I wouldn't recommend Twilight to her (although wouldn't bar it if she was the one picking it off the shelf). Mind you, I'm a big fan myself.

[A&A]

No. I didn't let my 11 yo. read it. (Not that she wanted to.) And, just for comparison, she started reading Harry Potter at age 5, so I'm not really a censoring parent, but this just felt different. Twilight has too much soft-porn in it (sexual tension). In book 4, Bella is badly bruised from sex but wants more. Do you want your dd reading that?