Christie Buchovecky answers “My 12 year old is interested in reading...”

A Goodreads user asked this question about Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1):

My 12 year old is interested in reading this series. Is there anything in the book(s) which might be inappropriate? Thanks, in advance, for any helpful information. mb

Christie Buchovecky I'd wait a couple years. Violence in this book is not any more graphic than some of the latter Harry Potter books. However, sex comes up more here, an…moreI'd wait a couple years. Violence in this book is not any more graphic than some of the latter Harry Potter books. However, sex comes up more here, and the fact of prostitution in particular (though the act is not performed "on screen" or described graphically in this book, nor is prostitution treated in a positive light - specifically, the Madam is a vampire, which in Dresdenverse means a grotesque monster in a beautiful human disguise). Personally, I find acknowledgment of sex less of a problem than graphic violence in books for young adults (though I suspect I may be in the minority), but the prostitution issue makes me think this might be something to wait on... unless your child has seen Law and Order SVU, or read any number of books considered classical literature. Another commenter was right when they said kids today know a lot, it really depends on what you and your child are comfortable with.

That said, once you get past the first 3-4 books, the series gets addictive, and there's definitely a scene in book 5 I wouldn't be comfortable suggesting for a 12-14 year old (written intentionally by Butcher to confront the idea of a "gratuitous sex/bondage scene"). And frankly, there's some emotionally heavy stuff that the main characters go through that, more so than being too much for a 12 year old, may go right over their head and detract from the enjoyment. The series is definitely worth reading. Whenever you think your child can handle book 1, just try not to let them devour the series in a single year.(less)

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