The other day I noticed this information about the final Harry Potter book:
Product Details
ISBN: 0545010225
ISBN-13: 9780545010221
Format: Hardcover, 784pp
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Sales Rank: 1
Age Range: 9 to 12
Series: Harry Potter Series, #7
I would NOT give this book to a 9 year old, or even a 12 year old. And I haven’t even read it yet. These stopped being juvenile books a few books ago and are now for adolescents. The rule of thumb with books for young people is that they are recommended for those 3-4 years younger than the main character. That means the 7th book, in which Harry is 17, would be recommended no younger than 13! The first book, when Harry was 11, was just fine for the 9-12 crowd. I highly doubt this book will be entirely appropriate for a 9 year-old.
Now, if I’m reading a book to my kids, so that we are reading it together and we can discuss anything that might be in the book, I’d stretch that age range a bit further down.
I am an educator and PhD. I quilt, belly dance, run, read, and try to grow things. I am a Mormon. I am infertile. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, grand-daughter, friend, wife, and mom.
Brett L. Dennis
Mama g
Giggles
AmandaStretch
I agree, the later books are too dark for younger kids. My 9-year-old and I are reading them together and I sometimes skip or paraphrase the scarier parts.