AshleyShell
asked:
Can anyone tell me about this book's appropriateness for middle schoolers? Is there anything (profanity, sex, etc.) that might give parents cause for concern?
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Rocket Boys,
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Homer Hickam
It has been read successfully in many middle schools across the country. There is some mild profanity and some implied high school 50's sex but that's about all. I wouldn't go below the 8th grade, though.
Katra
I like this book very much - for adults. One of the "Rocket Boys" is obsessed with sex and continually making quite vulgar remarks. The protagonist's brother continually refers to him as a sister, apparently the worst of all possible put downs. - And then, yes, there is the backseat scene.
Sexual content alone would be a big red flag for me and I would also be uncomfortable about the messages sent to young minds about male/female worth. High school - maybe. Middle school - no way.
Sexual content alone would be a big red flag for me and I would also be uncomfortable about the messages sent to young minds about male/female worth. High school - maybe. Middle school - no way.
Heather
This answer contains spoilers…
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Beth
Middle school appropriate. A young man with a dream, during such an interesting time, from an interesting town, with an interesting family. We watched October Sky to give our middle schooler a feel for the basis. After that, he was excited to read it. Mild innuendos, but my kid is in middle school and hears much worse at school!
Holly Decker
My mother and I read this book together when I was in about fifth grade (and mum didn't censor it) and I read it again after high school. There was implied sex but it wasn't explicit and honestly I didn't even notice/understand when I read it in fifth grade.
Todor Samardzhiev
There is mild sexual content and some profanity here and there. I'd rate it 13+.
On the other hand, if the kid wants to read this book in particular, I'd say get it anyway.
On the other hand, if the kid wants to read this book in particular, I'd say get it anyway.
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