? Lemony Snicket - A Series of Unfortunate Events

[1xmom]

My dd is 7 and we go to the library quite often. Every time we go there she picks up Lemony Snicket, but then puts it back when it's time to check out. She is afraid to read it. I told her we could read it together and she hesitates and then changes her mind. I've never read the books myself so I'm not quite sure how they are. My dd can be pretty sensitive and I'm not sure how she would take the books. She is pretty curious about it, but I don't want to force it on her. What do you think?

[Maggirayne]

I didn't like them, well only read the first one. I read it in an evening, it's a short read. A bunch of nasty stuff happens tp poor little kids. I didn't think it was scary, just annoying mostly. I had two friends in college who loved them. I'd get it and read it yourself and decide. It depends on the child's personality what scares them.
HTH

Oh, rereading, if she sensitive and not keen on tongue in cheek humour, I'd say she wouldn't like them. Janette Oke had a series of animal chapter books that I loved at that age. I also enjoyed a children's series of biographies, I think they are old enough they're being retired, I found a bunch discarded a while back. If you look on Barnes and Noble's website or Amazon, you can read excerpts, usu. first chp.

[1xmom]

That animal series sounds perfect for her, I'm going to have to check that out. In the meantime, I think I will probably check out the first Lemony Snickett to see if she can handle it. Thanks

[UnschoolnMa]

My Dd started reading them when she was like 10 or so. Overall she really enjoyed the series, but a few of the books were a little slow or boring she said. It wasn't scary really. The kids are in a bit of danger throughout, but nothing really awful or vivid IMO.

If anything the complexity of the story may be too much for a younger one to follow, but it could be good too.

[DreamsInDigital]

My 8 year old is a very advanced reader but he loved the series, and we enjoyed reading it together.

[Rico'sAlice]

As an adult I really enjoy these books. However, much of what I liked about them is really not accessable to most seven year olds. Especially a lot of the vocabulary based jokes. Some of which depend on familiarity with foreign languages, ethnic foods, ancient history, etc.
I wouldn't use the word "scary," but they are definitely full of unpleasantness. It's not like Disney where there is something scary and then everything turns out happy in the end.
I don't think I would have really liked them so much at age seven. I did however love Roald Dahl books. They contain a similar hint of darkness and wicked humor, but are filled with a sense that even if everything doesn't work out perfectly that safety and love can still be found in the world.

[aussiemum]

My 8 yr-old DD loved Lemony Snickett's Series of Unfortunate Events.... a year later she has read all 13 in the series & has moved on....

Honestly, I worry much more when she takes Mary Kate & Ashley novels out from the library, yk?? I mean, I am would so much prefer that she takes Violet as a role model as opposed to skinny little, eye-lined heavy, neurotic-anorexic Mary Kate, kwim?

[jeca]

Sometimes they get a little slow says DS, he's 10. I haven't read them personally.

[NiteNicole]

I read the first one and I don't think the author is nearly as clever as he thinks he is. I found them really really really terribly annoying and boring....really a one-trick pony kind of series.

[PatchChild]

Entertaining, but not high on the re-read list. They're not really scary. One bad thing happens, and then another, and then another, and then another until you're almost laughing because there is just NO way you can keep buying it. Tall tale style.