XP: @ books by RainaTelgemeier - age appropriate WWYD?

[susiebw]

I also just posted this on ML, but you guys are book people, so I thought I'd also post here.  Thanks!

My 7.5 year old, 2nd grade DD has become obsessed with this author. She owns and has read Smile and Sisters each about 4 times. We got her Ghosts from the library and she finished it last night in about 3 days. At the library last night, she was begging me to get her Drama, so I looked it up in the catalogue and was a little dismayed to find it listed as YA. I got it for her, with the caveat that I was going to read it first and decide whether she could read it. Confession: I haven't read the other three that my DD has already read, though I'm planning to read them this weekend.

I read Drama last night. It was really good, but I'm not sure whether it's age appropriate for 2nd grade. It's set in middle school, and the focus of the book is really on the kids having crushes, though the plot is about putting on a school play. There are 2 or 3 kisses, one is in a play, but one is two kids hiding behind a costume rack in the school. A couple of the boys are gay, and one boy is still figuring out whether hes gay or bi. I really liked the way the book handled sexuality, and think it would be a great read for kids just a little older than my DD, but I feel like some of the themes might be a little old for her yet.

My H hasn't read it yet, but he chided me for even getting it because he said he had looked it up before and didn't think she should read it yet. She says some of her friends have read it, and she was clearly disappointed when I said I would read it first and decide. So my sense is that even if I tell her no right now, she may just find it at the school library or something and read it anyway. She's not generally a sneaky kid in that way, but she sees her friends reading this very book, so I could see it happening. I'm sort of inclined to have a conversation with her about it before and after, but to let her read it - after discussing again with my H and getting on the same page about it, obviously.

WWYD? Have your younger kids read this one? Have you? Other thoughts?

[ufcasey]

My son is in second grade and loves to read, but my initial reaction was to say I wouldn't let him read a book like that. Not because I necessarily had concerns about the content of the book, but just because I don't think he's old enough to read a book that discusses any kind of sexuality that isn't just a vague 'be accepting of others' type message.

BUT, when I got to the part where her other friends have already read it - that made me pause. I mean, if her friends have read it and discussed it with her (how else would she know about the book) then at this point why would bother stopping her from reading it? Presumably she already knows what is in it. I would confirm that first though.

[travella]

I volunteer at my children's elementary school library and her books are very popular with second and third grade girls.

I've never read those books because they don't appeal to my daughter. If my daughter read the same book multiple times, especially graphic novels like Telgemeier's books, I would probably read them to see what was going on especially if I had concern.

I try not to forbid books unless I find them seriously offensive. In fact, I haven't forbidden anything up to this point. From my experience, the second something is forbidden the more enticing it becomes. I would rather read it also and discuss it with my daughter. I find books are a good way to open communication on topics that are difficult to discuss with our children.

[susiebw]

Up to this point, I've had no concerns. This one, it's the relationship aspect that's giving me pause. But you're right, and like I said - if her friends have read it, it seems like telling her no at this point isn't going to last. I just talked to my husband about it over lunch, and I think I'm going to read it with DD and talk about it with her while she's reading. Thanks for the insight!

[Gato]

I think add read that when she was 9. I agree 7 would be a little young for my comfort. Maybe start her on Telgemeier’s version of The Babysitter’s Club? I think the first few are fairly innocent, and your Dd might be fascinated to know what her own babysitters are thinking and feeling.