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Samantha Carter asked this question about The Jane Austen Society (Jane Austen Society #1):
Is there any questionable content in this book? And would it be appropriate for a 13-year-old?
Ellen The scene is more graphic than it needed to be, and doesn't mesh with the tone of the rest of the book, so that's a fail in an otherwise excellent boo…moreThe scene is more graphic than it needed to be, and doesn't mesh with the tone of the rest of the book, so that's a fail in an otherwise excellent book. Still, every 13 year old girl ought to understand the possibilities of unwanted sexual assault and have discussions about it with her parents. So, as a parent, I'd use this scene as a springboard for discussing how we protect ourselves. The same character has to recognize the difference between a man who loves her and one who wants to use her. Another good conversation starter. Do we marry for fancy jewelry or for the love and respect that we share with another soul? Other issues (gay men finding love, drug abuse, extramarital affairs) are more subtle and natural--like the real life people around us, and an adolescent will notice what she is mature enough to see.
My actual reservation about recommending this book to a 13 year old is that I think she'd find most of the characters "old" and perhaps not very relatable. Kids can't imagine people 50 years old falling in love and marrying. It just really isn't juvenile literature. And much of the richness of the book comes from the way it builds on our prior familiarity with Austen's characters, which most 13 year-olds won't have. (less)
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The Jane Austen Society
by Natalie Jenner (Goodreads Author)
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