PollyOR Posted October 4, 2008 Share Posted October 4, 2008 RoughCollie mentioned in the the "Twilight...oh my" thread that her 8th grade dd was assigned to read the book Twilight for school. I was not alone in being surprised that it was assigned. I know many people who have enjoyed reading it but studying it for school? This made me think about my 13yodd's request to read Lord of the Flies. I've been putting her off for almost two years, because I didn't think it was age appropriate. Now I'm pondering the fact that maybe I'm not challenging her enough. No, I'm not assigning fluff, but am I holding her back? (BTW, she's flying through The Lord of the Rings at the moment) When would you let your child read Lord of the Flies? I think her older sister was 17 when we both read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 I first read that book in 8th grade Honors English. Then I moved and got to read it again in 9th grade Honors English. Then I switched schools and got to read it again in 10th grade Advanced English. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 I gave it to my 12 yo (7th grade) to read last month, and he ended up doing a project on it for his English class in ps. He enjoyed the book and felt it was age-appropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 This book was assigned reading when I was in 8th grade. I assigned it to my son in 8th grade as well. Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melanie Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 My son read it in 6th grade and enjoyed it very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 My son read it in 6th grade and enjoyed it very much. Enjoyed? Hmmm...not exactly my reaction. A valuable book but not one that I enjoyed! Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janna Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 I studied this in my 9th grade literature class. I remember it took a long time to study because of the many facets to the book. There were many discussions in class about the social aspects and the symbolic significance. My dd is in 5th grade, and while she's an advanced reader, I don't think she is developmentally ready to understand the many facets to this story, nor do I think she would be able to in 6th or 7th grade either. But that's just us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 My son is 10. He's doing English Prep 2 from Galore Park, and a recent chapter had an except from Lord of the Flies in it. My son was very curious about the book and expressed a mild interest in reading it. If he decides he wants to do so, I would have no problem with it for him. He is, however, a very good reader and a pretty emotionally mature kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyboys Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 I first read that book in 8th grade Honors English. Then I moved and got to read it again in 9th grade Honors English. Then I switched schools and got to read it again in 10th grade Advanced English. You must've been quite the expert by then!! I think I read it for the first time around 8th-9th grade too. I don't think it was assigned, I'd probably just heard of it and was interested -- I loved the idea of reading through a list of great books at that age. I don't think it was too much to handle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in C-ville Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 We read it in 10th grade "G/T English" when I was in high school. I had read quite a few books with mature content, which I wish I had not read (Stephen King, Danielle Steele, etc.), but I remember being quite disturbed by this book. My 10th grade dd will be reading it this year and I'm prepared for some discussions with her. I don't think it's a book just to hand your child to read, but one which you plan on discussing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peek a Boo Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 it was assigned reading in my 9th grade honors english, but as mentioned elsewhere there are so many facets to this book i think a kid would get more out of it later in high school. i probably won't assign it till 11th, but mostly cuz there are others i want him to get thru first :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 I read it at 11 because it was in the house (older sister). I really enjoyed the book and reread it a few times before it was assigned for school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 We're coming to it late, in ds' Sr year, because we are filling in some gaps. We are comparing and contrasting the Romantics idea of human nature (people born good, society as corrupting influence--Noble Savage idea) with other perspectives. It gives us a good contrast to Queequeg in Moby D and Frankenstein's Monster. So, I'd say any time you are introducing those concepts, it would be good to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melanie Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 (edited) Enjoyed? Hmmm...not exactly my reaction. A valuable book but not one that I enjoyed! Jane Let me elaborate. He couldn't put it down because he was fascinated by the story. He enjoyed mulling over the challenges the characters faced and wondering what he'd do in the same situation, and relished the family discussions which stemmed from his reading. So, yes, I'd say he enjoyed the book, as did his father and I when we were his age. It blew our little minds, so to speak. :) ETA: This was not required reading - he read it because he wanted to. Edited October 5, 2008 by Melanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Yes, I would certainly allow a 13 yr old to read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Wow! I am surprised at how young you all were when you read this! I didn't read it until I was a junior in college. I found the book very disturbing, as did many of my classmates. The professor had us watch the movie of it after we had discussed the book, and that was even more disturbing. I would definitely wait if your dc is at all sensitive. At the very least, I would recommend a lot of discussion, as well as avoiding the movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Oh, how I loathed that book. I have no idea what grade I was in when it was assigned reading ~ 8th? 9th? 10th? I just know I considered it a colossal waste of time and was consequently thrilled to finish it. I suppose I'd say it's best-suited for high school if a student wanted to read it. I'd certainly never assign it, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate CA Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 I'd certainly never assign it, though. I 100% agree! My children will read that on their own as adults should the desire strike them, but I will not be teaching it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happykids Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Academy of Jedi Arts Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 I read it when I was 10 for English class. I would let dd7 read it. When I got to NC and went to public school for high school, I was shocked that the kids in the 9th grade college prep track were reading this book. Even in CA, the average kids read it in middle school. It is not anywhere near high school level IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 it was assigned reading in my 9th grade honors english, but as mentioned elsewhere there are so many facets to this book i think a kid would get more out of it later in high school. i probably won't assign it till 11th, but mostly cuz there are others i want him to get thru first :) I'm intrigued. What are the books you want him to get through first? I ask because I've always viewed Lord of the Flies as one of the "easier" classics. I'm looking for others to give my son to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Well, I was 40 when I read it for the first time, LOL! But I plan to give it to my 8th grader (13 yo) next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peek a Boo Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 (edited) I'm intrigued. What are the books you want him to get through first? I ask because I've always viewed Lord of the Flies as one of the "easier" classics. I'm looking for others to give my son to read. well, as Colleen mentioned, there are some stories we each like, and some we each love ;) I do agree the reading is pretty easy --it's the concepts that I want to delve into deeper w/ a more mature teen. There's plenty of lists of books in the WTM itself that i want to work through first. Sonlight's lists are another that I like. Like jedi mentioned, the books some people assign at higher ages could certainly be handled by others at lower ages, and vice versa. But she has also mentioned that her dd is gifted towards reading, so i wouldn't be surprised that what works for her younger might not work for a typical older student ;) Edited October 5, 2008 by Peek a Boo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Since I utterly loathed that book, I won't require it at any age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E_Edgerton Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 I read it when I was about 10 (6th grade). That may have been a bit young. My parents didn't regulate what I read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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