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David
I would really say that it depends on the 9 year old. I read "Carrie" when I was 9. My mother knew that I could handle it. The parts that I didn't understand caused me to ask questions.
There is a blossuming gay relationship in this book. If your 9 year old is aware of such things, then the book is fine. If he's not, it might be an opportunity to teach. But the relationship is described with a great deal of care, and there is nothing sexual depicted. I'm sure some children would read it as the two simply being close friends.
There is a blossuming gay relationship in this book. If your 9 year old is aware of such things, then the book is fine. If he's not, it might be an opportunity to teach. But the relationship is described with a great deal of care, and there is nothing sexual depicted. I'm sure some children would read it as the two simply being close friends.
Sam I AMNreader
I have a mature 10 year old and don't think I'd have her read it for another year at least. If you are wondering, I'd read it yourself. Some of the humor will work, some won't. It's told from the POV of a 40yo man too.
7/1/20 I am editing this comment to clarify my last point which was apparently 'baffling' - my kid doesn't even want to read about middle schoolers so I'm not sure she'd be interested in this, where the main character is often obsessing about his job (and is 40 years old, and that is a major part of the conflict). I don't think it'd be well appreciated or understood by kids at that maturity level and this isn't *about learning* it's about whether I'd tell kids that age to read it. My answer was 'not yet.' My daughter is brilliant and has read books set in war time, mythology (so much wacky!), and other violent situations. LGBTQAI+ is also incredibly important and familiar to her. (We've talked about this for years) Sometimes the content that makes it good for adults just isn't optimal for kids. I also find it SUPER important to have kids choose their own reading material and that they read what they are interested in(I will hand off books to my daughter, yes, but this isn't one of them) That said, if you listened/read/fill in the blank and you were like 'absolutely' I don't think it's bad. My frank opinion was simply that there's more suitable books for her age around things she's interested in that this wouldn't be something that was a great fit.
7/1/20 I am editing this comment to clarify my last point which was apparently 'baffling' - my kid doesn't even want to read about middle schoolers so I'm not sure she'd be interested in this, where the main character is often obsessing about his job (and is 40 years old, and that is a major part of the conflict). I don't think it'd be well appreciated or understood by kids at that maturity level and this isn't *about learning* it's about whether I'd tell kids that age to read it. My answer was 'not yet.' My daughter is brilliant and has read books set in war time, mythology (so much wacky!), and other violent situations. LGBTQAI+ is also incredibly important and familiar to her. (We've talked about this for years) Sometimes the content that makes it good for adults just isn't optimal for kids. I also find it SUPER important to have kids choose their own reading material and that they read what they are interested in(I will hand off books to my daughter, yes, but this isn't one of them) That said, if you listened/read/fill in the blank and you were like 'absolutely' I don't think it's bad. My frank opinion was simply that there's more suitable books for her age around things she's interested in that this wouldn't be something that was a great fit.
Kelly
I'm having my 8 and 10 year olds listen to the audiobook. There are swears (not a problem for me), and some things that will go over their heads (the one I remember is a joke about why a teenage boy alone in his room would be making certain noises), but nothing that I think is inappropriate for them.
KTMac
I would say absolutely yes, but this might be a good one to read together or to talk about because the themes heavily deal with prejudice and standing up against it. It would be a great chance to talk about prejudice they might see in the real world or assumptions they might make about people in their school!
Brittanie
Yes. There are no violent or sexual situations.
Andreea
While I enjoyed the book, I think there's a reason why this book is marketed for adults. True, there is no gore or sex, other than the one mentioned by another user and the instance where one child explains to the other that to make a baby "you put a penis inside a vagina"; but one of the characters is the son of Antichrist and has disturbing thoughts and vision expressed pretty vividly, and while the message of the book is a positive one I think a lot of the subtleties would go over my 9 years old's head. I already passed it on to my 12-year old but will wait to give it to my own 9 year old for a few years.
Punxsutawney
As Brittanie already pointed out, there's no reason not to. Personally, I find Sam's comments baffling. In the first place, why would you stop a child from reading something just because they won't understand everything. How else are they going to learn? And, in the second place, so what if it's told from the POV of a 40 year old man. Would you not let your child interact with their father/uncle/teacher/etc just because they'd be speaking from the POV of a 40 year old man?!?! Again, as was already pointed out, "There are no violent or sexual situations."
Cybercrone
I'd think so. As a great-grandma, I've read all sorts of books for all ages, either as bedtime stories or just to see if it's something I think a particular child might like - and of course to see if I approve of the contents.
As I said in the review I've just finished writing, it seems to me that this book was written for 8 - 10 year olds, and could not believe that it was reviewed in the big publications as an adult book.
As I said in the review I've just finished writing, it seems to me that this book was written for 8 - 10 year olds, and could not believe that it was reviewed in the big publications as an adult book.
Christine Stafford
I would caution that some of the characters might be a bit overwhelming for a nine year old and some of the relationships might be confusing. I think I would wait until the child is older, but maybe I am being too conservative in my thinking.
Miranda H
Read the book and make the decision for your own child.
Douglas Beagley
Yes, this book is appropriate for a nine year old.
Mallory
While I was reading it, it seemed like a good book to read as a family. There are valuable lessons in it for children, and jokes that are geared towards adults (that would go over a child's head) so it would be entertaining for all. I bought a copy and will read it with my child when she gets a bit older, probably in the 8-10 range.
Molly Siskin
I personally think I would have most enjoyed this book if I had read it in middle school. There are some very good lessons for young people to hear, like accepting others who are different than you with implied racial allegory, and these topics are covered in a very positive, hopefully, and somewhat broad way, which is perfect for a younger audience. I found the pacing, humor, and foreshadowing of what were supposed to be twists to also imply the book would be good for younger audiences, since everything is pretty obvious from an adult perspective, I think youngers readers would have more chance to guess what's going to happen and get invested in seeing the clues and where they may lead. The only thing is that this book is from the perspective of an adult man. His thought processes (especially in regards to relationships) are extremely innocent, and a lot of the book is spent showing him bond with the children in the story and learn how to be a good friend, father figure, and partner so a 9 year old reader should be able to find some ways to relate to the central character, but they probably won't feel represented by him, so if that is an important part of their reading experience, they may lose interest. Nothing in this book would be dangerous for a 9 year old to read, though, in my opinion.
Sam M
Yes, I would be comfortable with a 9 year old reading it but I suspect they would miss a lot of the nuance.
Jennifer
I would be very comfortable with my 10 year old reading this. There's no bad language, adult themes, or violence.
R
a six year old character mentions how babies are made
Kerry
This book is marketed for middle grade but contains adult content in spots. It mentions penis, vagina, and talks of masturbation.
Jakob
Its written so poorly that even many other propaganda writing seems glorious in comparison. So, no, its not appropriate, its crap.
Cory
NO! This book is written in the style of a children's book, but it is not for children. The main theme and most of the plot is LGBTQ propaganda.
Ruby
The biggest draw back is they won't get all of the intended humor.
There is nothing particularly objectionable. The "violent" imagery and descriptions are on the cartoony side.
There is nothing particularly objectionable. The "violent" imagery and descriptions are on the cartoony side.
Collins E
Yes. If it could hold my son's attention, I would read it with him. He's seven years old. I hope it gets a graphic novel version!
Gadfly
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Finn
I would say it is. Some of the words/language may be a bit complex, but with parental assistance I would think it would be a great read.
Noh
Pretty much depends on the nine year old.
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