Would you let your 8 yo read Twilight? - Page 2

[KaraBoo]

No it doesn't matter how well it is written in order to gain enjoyment. I was just giving my personal opinion. Hence, me using the little "imo." Other posters expressed opinions that perhaps the OP could find better written books which might interest her 8yr old. I was doing the same.

[zeldamomma]

Thanks for all the replies! I started this thread and then forgot to check on it, because I'm not a regular in this forum.

I did let my 8 year old read Twilight, and while it's not a parenting decision I'm especially proud of, she seems unscathed. She liked the book because of the adventure, and skipped past most of the romance. It seems the sexual tension went over her head. The violence was distinct enough from real life not to phase her (that seems to key for her). I read Twilight and the rest of the series after she read the first book, and decided that she would need to wait to read the rest of the series. I totally agree with the opinions here about the 4th book being inappropriate for most teens.

I agree that Twilight isn't the best book out there at this reading level, but when you're supplying books to a voracious reader, it's not all going to be high quality-- she reads probably 10 novels a month (assuming I get sufficiently challenging books-- she can read 3 easy ones in a sitting), and sometimes it's hard for me to keep up, both with reading the books first, and with finding quality options that she likes. She doesn't like Tolkein (she's not a fan of books about war) but she has read a lot of the other books mentioned here.

Thanks again for the input!

ZM

[Verity]

After much hand-wringing, I have let my 11-year-old read the series after she asked repeatedly. I read ahead of her, and I'm a bit apprehensive about her reading Breaking Dawn. We'll definitely discuss it, as we have been discussing the other books. On the other hand, it is so far out there that I doubt she'll take much away from it in terms of real, human relationships. In other words, I'd rather she didn't read it, but I don't see Breaking Dawn as "scar her for life" material.

As to the original question, I don't think I would have let her read the books at 8, even if she had been interested in them.

I agree that these books aren't great literature, but I have to admit to not being able to put them down. :

[Pinoikoi]

Perhaps suggesting Host first if she is really interested? It is more scifi than Twilight and by the same author. It is a stand alone book and had far less "I am so hot for Edward, why won't he give in to my bodies demands already?" to it.