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Rebecca
There is some mature content (violence, death) and vocabulary but if an adult & child are reading it together, I'd agree with the 8-12 recommendation. I'm reading it with a second grader and we're taking time to discuss the complexities and to talk about the harrowing parts of the drama. As a librarian and parent, I'll recommend it to adults too...it's a beautiful story.
Jessica
I think the older the kid the better, only because the idea of "knowing yourself" is rather abstract really. The character is 12 and I think that's a good age to start to consider those things.
I really wanted it to be an all ages book, but too sad for younger kids I think.
I really wanted it to be an all ages book, but too sad for younger kids I think.
Ali Hussain Al-Nasser
I'm a university student and I really enjoyed reading this book. So, I don't believe that this book is only for children as the description says.
Raygun ∆ Gothic
Ever since being read Where the Red Fern Grows in elementary school, I'm cautious about traumatizing elementary school children with the deaths of beloved animals in books. Bambi's mom? Fine. Charlotte's Web? Fine. It's a spider. But Old Yeller? The Yearling? You monsters. Some children are more sensitive than others, but I'd say leave this one until middle school.
Nova
My 10 year old is reading this as a selection for Elementary (4th and 5th grade) Battle of the Books. It's a little heavy topic-wise for independent reading at the elementary grade level but with discussion, they can handle. I would recommend for Middle School age.
Jenn Vincent
I am reading it with my five-year-old and so far, so good. We are halfway through and I hope I don't live to regret my decision to read it with her at such a young age, but she is quite mature. We also read Charlotte's Web together, and I cried my heart out in the sad part, whereas she simply enjoyed the book. :)
Kim Bell
I'm surprised that it's not YA, actually. There are pretty heavy themes of war, death/murder, injury, abandonment, etc. There are some pretty violent moments. Oh, and not to mention the swear words in Creole. However, I will add that the violence isn't any worse than what kids are seeing in movies and on video games, so there's that to consider. I will probably only recommend it to library patrons I know very well.
Adrienn
Publisher says 10-14 years. The story has some violent moments.
Brittany
I understand this question is years old, but people still ask it and read it here so I'll add my thoughts. It's the kind of book I could breeze through at 8 and enjoy, but I would appreciate it more at 12 or 14. I'm in my 30s and read it through before giving it to my sensitive child. He's nearly 10 and I think he'll grapple with it a bit emotionally but also see himself in Peter. He would not have been ready for it at 8.
Kaylee
I would say age 12 and up. Depends on the kid's maturity level, but personally I would not be comfortable giving this to younger kids, due to the scenes where animals are killed in a violent manner (some clubbed to death, others being blown up in a mine field).
B220
I read it as a nighttime story to my 8 and 5 year olds over the last few weeks. They loved it and complained when it was "too late to read". I explained a couple things to my 5 year old to hep her with comprehension, but it was great experience for both kids.
Laura AWVL
Amazon says Grades 3 - 7, ages 8 - 12
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