Maze Runner okay for nine-year-old to read?

[stephogirl]

My nine-year-old son is a voracious reader. He probably reads around three books each week, and I'm finding it difficult to continually find books that are both interesting to him and still appropriate for his age. His latest love was the Percy Jackson series and anything related to mythology. 

He asked me tonight if we could get the Maze Runner series when we go to the library this weekend. The bit of research I've done on it makes me wonder if the subject matter would be too mature for him. 

Any thoughts?

[lavender444]

I think it depends on the kid.

I gave it to my nephew to read and he is of similar age. He enjoyed it, as well as Divergent and Hunger Games. My own children are younger, but with their personalities as they are now, I would not let them read it at 9. They don't handle "suspense" on G rated shows well.

[InBetweenDays]

I think it really depends on the kid. I don't think I'd let my 8 year old read it just yet because of the violence and I don't think she'd really comprehend the story. Could you read the first one together and see how it goes? But of course you know your son and what he can handle.

Has he read the Wizard of Rondo or that series? DD just started that and enjoys it. She of course also loved Harry Potter (she's read through Book 5 - not sure she's ready for the rest). Or what about Roald Dahl?

And if you aren't familiar with the website www.commonsensemedia.org, it can be a great resource to read others thoughts on what is age appropriate. You can also search for books for more of the 9/10/11 year old category.

Here is the direct link to the Maze Runner. www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-maze-runner-maze-runner-trilogy-book-1

[textbookcase]

Definitely depends on the kid. My 10 year old would have been fine reading it at 9 (she actually just started it) but I don't think my 8 year old would be okay with it next year. She doesn't handle suspense or scary things well.

[heyyo875]

I agree with the previous posters. Depends on the kid. There is a lot of violence, but it is very PG in the sense that there is nothing sexual, and the language is not too bad either. The curse words are mostly made up lingo.

[msmerymac]

I just finished it. Depends on the kid. There's a small amount of sexism and violence, too. It's definitely not more violent than Harry Potter, though. The characters are teenagers.

[Deleted]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say it's fine. The first book is suspenseful, but I wouldn't call it scary. There are no curse words, and if he's already read the Percy Jackson series. I think this is fine. Has he read the Harry Potter series or the Giver? If he's read those, I don't see an issue with it.