Antwonette
asked:
Is this book appropriate for pre teens and 11 year olds? Any violence? Or terrifying spooky stuff? And is there romance?
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Valeria
Maybe it's just me, but I read it when I was 14, loved it, have a slight obsession (own CD, book, theatre version, and can play all the songs), but I'd read worse books than this at much younger. Worse meaning violent and such. Kids see more violence than this everywhere (little 2nd graders on my bus pretend to shoot each other it's really quite disturbing), I think it would be fine. Besides, if you warn them of what might be inside, it shouldn't really harm them. At 11 I read Othello and wow that's messed up. Let's just murder someone because I can't handle my emotions and he took my job and I don't think you're good enough for your wife, you know. As a kid my parents never really monitored my books (I have wall to wall bookshelves right now) and nothing bad happened - I matured faster. I feel like this kind of question is too open ended. There are people who can't handle exposure too quickly, and people who take it and run with it and form thoughts and ideas and perspective through them. As a kid (5th grade - 10 yrs old) is when I started reading a lot, and I read some things that I probably wasn't ready to see in the world. I didn't know people could be so *head shake* cruel or proud or outlandish and it changed my childhood for the better. I think kids are almost always ready for anything (almost, unless it's earth shattering or sexually geared beyond their age appropriateness). You should probably read the book yourself, it is quite a piece of art I think.
Kateřina
I would not recommend it to 11 year olds. Heck, I would not recommend this to 15 and 16 year olds. It's not that there is explicit violence, or that there would be spooky stuff but the subject matter is quite dark and can be disturbing. Yes, there's some romance but not anything I would be concerned about.
Lauren
Well there is definitely romance. It is marked as horror but it is not really too scary. The suspense in this book is excellent. I am 11 years old and I read this book and really like it. We studied the musical in music class and I loved it , so I wanted to read the book. A lot of kids younger and maybe even a little older than I am would not be able to comprehend the character of Erik because he is so (wonderfully) complex. I think it is ok for middle school kids like me who have a particularly high reading level ( I have had a post high school reading level since 2nd grade excuse me if this sounds like bragging) but no younger.
Eileen G. Mykkels
I read this book for the first time when I was in 6th grade, and I absolutely adored it! As a teacher now, I'd simply say, you have to know the child in question in order to determine whether or not he/she should be reading it.
It is Gothic horror, more than romance, to be perfectly honest, and yes, the descriptions can be detailed, but there is no 'gore' to speak of. In all reality, the horror isn't extensive. The violence isn't graphic at all, and the romance is non-explicit.
If you don't think it's appropriate based upon your knowledge of the child, then withhold it. If you think the child is mature enough to handle it, then,by all means, let them at it! It's not only a great literary experience, but a great cultural experience as well.
I think the most important thing to get out of this is that it's a great opportunity for children to learn about acceptance of others.
It is Gothic horror, more than romance, to be perfectly honest, and yes, the descriptions can be detailed, but there is no 'gore' to speak of. In all reality, the horror isn't extensive. The violence isn't graphic at all, and the romance is non-explicit.
If you don't think it's appropriate based upon your knowledge of the child, then withhold it. If you think the child is mature enough to handle it, then,by all means, let them at it! It's not only a great literary experience, but a great cultural experience as well.
I think the most important thing to get out of this is that it's a great opportunity for children to learn about acceptance of others.
Addison Dixon
Definitely not! 17 and older (more like) are the best ages to read it. Maybe 16, depending on the maturity level, but anything below that is too young. There is violence and it's quite darker than the movie. There were several parts that even freaked me out, and I'm 20! It is a Gothic romance.
erik_operaghost
there is romance, but not explicit stuff. there are frequent mentions of blood, there are deaths, and it's kinda spooky. but i wouldn't call it terrifying
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