Hi I have another question about my almost teenage daughter.
She is an avid reader and a couple of her friends have read the fault in our stars. I'm wondering if it is appropriate. It's a love story and I'm not sure how much is ok for a 12 year old.
So have you guys read it or your children and would you say its okay?
She got it put of the library and read the first chapter and absolutely hated it. She said it was likr a sad twilight. Annie is very modest with romance and does not feel comfortable with the frank discussion of sex.
There is mild sexual content in the movie and a lot of sexual references. I wouldn't take my 12 year old to see it though. The worst thing is when hazel and gus have sex nothing is shown but you do see her on top of him and him taking her shirt and bra off and taking his top off and them laying in bed after under covers so it's up to you but I personally wouldn't.
Yes I've read it and yes I think it's definitely appropriate. It was on the summer reading list for my kids last year (before 10th grade) so while there are some heavy themes in it - the narrator has cancer - there is nothing wildly inappropriate. There is one mild sexual experience in the book but it's not graphic or really highlighted or given a lot of importance, kind of just glossed over and in the context of the book, not objectionable.
It's a very, very sad book. If you're unsure, read it yourself. I read it in a night last year. I tend to read my kids' summer reading books because I like to read and they're right here in my house so naturally I have to feed them to my brain :-) As an added bonus, I can ask them questions about the books to make sure they actually read them.
Why don't you read it and determine for yourself if it is something you want you child to read? I've been known to do this with books, movies and music. I was more than fanatical. LOL My kids are all grown now and fine adults despite my overly protective ways. LOL
My 12-year old LOVED both the book and the movie, but she's always been able to handle books with slightly more mature themes for her age. She made me read it after she was done, and I can see why she liked it so much. The sex scene did make me pause for a moment, but I talked with her about it and I'm satisfied with her thoughts on it.
You can go to commonsensemedia.org for specific details re content but really, you know your daughter's level of maturity better than anyone. The best way to know whether it's appropriate for her is to read it yourself first (have a box of tissues nearby I hear it's a major tearjerker!)
Depends entirely on your kid. My 13-year-old (avid reader) read the book and thought it was finethough she didn't adore it like many of her friends did--some tween and teen girls are really nuts for this book. My daughter was not happy with the scene where the two characters lose their virginity to each other. She is .unomfortable with anything sexual especially if it's teens behaving sexually - she is just very modest about the whole topic and tends to skim or skip if she sees it coming So if your kid is OK with that one scene, have her read the book. I know my daughter said she does not want to see the film -- she saw a preview of it when we went to another movie, and the preview showed the two main characters on a bed, the girl straddling the boy (clothed, but the girl takes off her top in the brief clip in the preview). My daughter pretty much cringed at that one brief scene but I have heard other moms and daughters say it was fine. But I know it's the reason my daughter said she didn't want to see the movie.
So -- depends on the kid. My daughter was fine with the sadness of the cancer and death storylines but not so fine with the idea of sex. She is the same with all movies and TV and still wants me to preview things for appropriateness! And I'm fine with that!
We don't sensor books at all, if they can read it and want to read it it's their choice. My 11 year old was quite taken with the book and the movie. She lost her Grandma to cancer (who we took care of until the end) a few years ago so the aspect of death seemed mild in comparison.
She was a little sad but it also opened up some discussions about teenage love, mortality and that fact that some people do die very young. In my opinion all topics appropriate for an almost 12 year old.
It's an extremely emotional book about two teens who do fall in love with each other but it's more about their terminal illnesses. It's a tough read but well worth it! Read it first and see what you think.
Here is an idea! Why don't you obtain a copy and read it yourself to determine if it is suitable for your child instead of allowing strangers who do not know either you or your child in real life to make this sort of decision for you?
FWIW, I have not read it, but my dd did when she was around 18 and she says she cried a lot. Sadness and uncomfortable feelings are not bad for children. IMHO, it is sometimes better for children to deal with strong emotions at the distance that reading provides before they may confront the situation in real life.
I have not read it. My understanding is that there is sexual content that is not appropriate and that it is depressing as hell. All of my twelve year old's friends have read it. I asked her if she wanted to and she does not, so we have not looked into it further.
I have not read it.
My 12 year old and my 15 year old have both read the book.
They liked it, now they want to see the movie.
I haven't read it but I Wiki'd it and there's nothing in there that I would have had a problem with my kid reading when she was 12. It's not your typical love story - it's a love story in which the lovers both have a terminal illness.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fault_in_Our_Stars
You know your kid and what she can handle.
I think it's fine for most 12 year olds. My 12 year old read it and loved it! I read it as well (but I actually read it AFTER she did because she kept insisting that I read it before we go see the movie together!!) They do have sex in the book, but there is no detail about it at all. It's just obvious that they did it. I think it's fine for this age group. Did anyone else read "Forever" by Judy Blume back in the day?! I was in 6th grade when I read that and I do remember being somewhat shocked. But it was a learning experience that I don't think was all bad. (And "The Fault in Their Stars" is nothing like "Forever!" Much less detail) Anyway, you should read the book too, not just to preview for your daughter but because it's actually very good. Tearjerker for sure!
And good gracious Serena, that was a little snarky with your "Here is an idea!" Yuck. She's just asking a question.
I think it's fine.
