Joker Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Older dd is newly 13 and in 7th grade. They've been given a project for Language Arts and the teacher sent home a list of acceptable books as a guide for the project. Several of the books deal with rape and violence, at least according to my Google skills. She knows what rape is, but I told her I didn't think she needed to be reading these right now. I especially don't feel she needs to be spending extra time on them for a project. She's read To Kill a Mockingbird, but I think these books deal a lot more in depth with the subject. Some of the books she now wants to read (because her teacher said they were good :glare:) and I haven't read so am unsure of are: The Lovely Bones - child rape and murder? (I actually read this when it came out but don't remember much.) Monster - references prison rape several times? Speak - rape, but not sure how prevalent it is to story Summer Sisters - not rape, but all I can find online is that it is an adult book with heavy sexual content. Please let me know if you think any of the above would be ok for a 7th grader. I don't have time to pre-read them all before the project. Also, please let me know if you have any recommendations. The only list I see says it needs to be a coming of age story that can be related to the real world. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebacabunch Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I wouldn't read any of these books myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted January 8, 2013 Author Share Posted January 8, 2013 I wouldn't read any of these books myself. This was my initial reaction but I was wondering if I was just being too protective or overreacting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trillian Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 The only one I've read was The Lovely Bones - not appropriate IMO. How about A Tree Grows In Brooklyn? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 How about "A diary of Anne Frank" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Yikes! None of those titles are appropriate for a 7th grader! Not to mention, I think kids should be reading classic literature in school, not popular fiction. My favorite "coming of age novels" for 7th grade would include the two the other posters mentioned, plus: Huckleberry Finn The Red Badge of Courage Little Women Jane Eyre The Bronze Bow The Story of My Life (Helen Keller) Pride and Prejudice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raceNzanesmom Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I agree with others. I would not allow my child to read those books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runbikeswim Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Absolutely not. Not to mention, most of those books are guilty pleasure, beach type reads for adults...they have little to no educational value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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