Comments on: Twilight, sex and the tween

By: Monica Brand

Monica Brand — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:19:07 +0000

Brilliant, Cindy. Thanks for adding to the discussion. I’ve heard of your book, it sounds like my kind of read.

If there is one thing I hope everyone takes away from all this Twilight talk is that we need to TALK to our kids about what they are reading. Don’t assume because it’s in print that’s it’s lining up with what we believe.

By: Cindy Hudson

Cindy Hudson — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:02:59 +0000

I understand what you’re talking about Monica and I agree that there’s pressure for kids to read books that they’re not ready for in many ways.

I’m pretty open-minded about what my daughters read, but I haven’t hesitated to tell them when I think they need to wait a year or two or more before they read something, even if it is popular and their friends are reading it. This doesn’t really happen now that they are in they mid and late teens, but it did happen when they were younger.

I started a mother-daughter book club with each girl when she was nine, so we read a lot together. The most successful discussions we had were always with the age-appropriate books, because the girls in the group understood those more. They had a frame of reference for what they were reading, and they were able to form their own opinions about it as well as listen to their mothers’ opinons.

What worries me about young girls reading books that are too mature for them, is that they may believe the characters are acting normal. A high school girl reading Twilight can see it as fantasy and enjoy it as an escape into a fantasy world. An elementary school girl probably doesn’t have enough life experience to question what she’s reading.

And it isn’t hard to find great, age-appropriate reading for younger kids. Many authors are writing great middle-grade novels that are enjoyable to both kids and adults. There’s plenty time for girls to work into young adult books.

I give a lot of thought to the age recommendations I make in my own book reviews at my website, http://www.motherdaughterbookclub.com and my blog http://www.motherdaughterbookclub.wordpress.com and well as in my book, Book by Book: The Complete Guide to Creating Mother-Daughter Book Clubs. That’s because I think there’s real value for our kids to enjoy the stage they are in without constantly looking for entertainment that’s more appropriate for an older set.

By: Elric66

Elric66 — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:43:28 +0000

Well dont worry, once this government is done robbing your kids, they wont be able to afford books.

By: Monica Brand

Monica Brand — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:21:49 +0000

Elric66, how about we concern ourselves with both Books and Big Brother? Each dangerous in different ways…

By: Elric66

Elric66 — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:55:54 +0000

I would worry more about how your kid’s future is being sold down the river by this government than whats in some book.

By: Wickle

Wickle — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:37:56 +0000

Right … it’s just a book. No one EVER learns anything or gets ideas from books, right?

:roll eyes:

Monica, I have to qualify this by saying that I haven’t read the book, so I’m answering in general rather than in specific …

I agree. We push kids into knowing all kinds of adult things, instead of letting them be kids. Kids don’t have the maturity to handle certain issues and thoughts, yet we recklessly throw them to those wolves.

Absolutely, we need to watch what our kids are reading and know it. I read the same books that my 13-year-old son reads … partly because I love YA and kidlit, but also because I want to make sure that if there are issues I can either nip it or at least be ready to talk about it (depending on the issues).
.-= Wickle´s last blog ..The game I want for Christmas =-.

By: Monica Brand

Monica Brand — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:54:40 +0000

Is it really JUST a book?

I say it’s more like a door.

Thanks for commenting, Sydney.

Sue, talking is great. I’m glad you do. We need more moms (and dads) talking to their kids about what they are reading, why they are reading it.

By: Sydney

Sydney — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:46:01 +0000

I see your problem. Kids under 10 don’t need to be reading this book, but some kids already know what happens. No matter how hard you try to stop your kids from reading to book other kids will tell them. They will feel this passion sooner or later. This is just a book. It really can’t happen in real life with all the vampires and stuff. I think Bella is a really good example. She is really mature,and when you fell in love could you not have and urge to have sex with that person you fell in love with? I think you are way off the mark.

By: Sue Dent

Sue Dent — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:23:46 +0000

As an author, I’m not sure why there are designations such as YA, adult, horror, fantasy etc . . . if there’s no authority in place to decide if a book is eligible.

And there really isn’t. Most of the time it just depends what books are selling at that time.

When I saw some of the books my daughter was reading at ten and eleven and actually looked at them, *gasp* I realized right away I was going to have to
pay attention. I then realized, after she read some of the books I felt she might not need to be reading for maturity sake, that she faired just fine. Most of the time it just opened doors for us to talk.