Owen Nelson
asked:
Is it a good book for my 10 year old son to read. Take in mind our governer Rick Perry called him A reading mastermind. He is very advanced but still is all the death talk still too much?
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Pet Sematary,
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Sam
what a weird place to flex lmao.
Rebecca
No, your 10 year old son should not read this or any other Stephen King book at his age. This book is too much for some adults, let alone a child. It is not a matter of being a "reading mastermind", the content is terrifying.
Jona Meow
I am thirteen and I read it. Often I would stop and just think about death while reading, this novel especially focas's on that subject. Don't get me wrong I loved it, but I got kinda sad at times. I wouldn't let a ten year old read this let alone a friend my age. I hope this will help.
Christine Whittington
Like any other book, if you are worried about it, read it yourself first. It was a very tough book even for an adult. The existential horrors (death, fatal illness, aging, decay) are all front in center and heavy material, even for adults. There is also some spicy sex and talk about it. This is the book that Stephen King said that he himself found most horrifying.
One Flew
My first instinct on reading the question was NO
But then, a kid has got to learn about the pet semetary sooner or later right?
But then, a kid has got to learn about the pet semetary sooner or later right?
Eden
I was an advanced reader as a kid and this is not a book for children. My daughter saw the movie at 17 and will not read the book and she was an advanced reader as well. The way that King deals with the deaths in the book is amazing but it is not the way to start the conversation with your 10 year old. In no way, shape or form is this a novel for children.
Fred Wagner
Hell NO!!! (note that reading prowess doesn't matter AT ALL in making such a decision... he may be able to read War And Peace or Moby Dick.... but those books are NOT "Pet Sematary").... this book is for NO children!! And not even for a great many adults!!! Seriously!! Someone stated that perhaps YOU should try reading it first (if you simply won't heed the GOOD advice given here mostly). You will find that it would under many regards be considered for MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY -- and NOT even all of them as it could cause nightmares in even the MOST mature person out there. There are perhaps a few SK books a younger person might be considered for reading. MIGHT!!! But mostly consider it an NC-17 rating at the least!! THIS ONE FOR DAMNED SURE!!! A 10-year old is in NO WAY psychologically prepared for THIS book. NO WAY!!! And DON'T take him to the movie coming out either!! Or let him see it in ANY fashion for at least a few years to come. Night terrors are a MAJOR potentiality!! Psychological damage is quite possible too!! Just MHO... take it or leave it.... but if you love your child you'll take it.
Book Goblin, Page Devourer
I'm 34 and had to sleep with the light on so that's a hard no
Christina
(Commenting 2 years later) I just read it at age 28 and was on the scared and uncomfortable side. I like the recommendation to read it yourself first before giving the okay, then you have the option to talk to them as they're reading. As a YA librarian, I always tell parents that it isn't about your child reading at an advanced level but about the content of books meant for older teens/adults (as Pet Semetary is Adult). Once you hit YA, words are edgier and actions harsher. Caution is cheaper in the long run.
Pick Rerry
This book is actually required reading for Reading Masterminds. The sooner one embraces and comes to terms with death, the sooner they might ascend and meet the Glorious One. Also, the handjob scene is sick-nasty. Awwwww riiiiiiiigghhhhtttt
Liora
im 11 and really enjoyed the book. however, it is not a book for children and it totally depends on the kid.
Louis Creed
No one can answer this question better than you and your child. I was 10 and my sister was 6 when I read the book. Then I started reading aloud to her. We watched all the screenings together and at home we only talked about Pet Sematary. We were not afraid. Now we are still obsessed with Stephen King's books. If your child has read other books by the same author, he or she should be familiar with the writing style. In Pet Sematary, death is a major theme. If your child is afraid of this, he may not need to read this book. But isn't that one way to teach him that there's nothing scary about dying? Normal process. If he reads about it, he will see for himself that these things are not real (like my sister). However, every child is different. If your child is used to children's books, it is not good to read Pet Sematary yet. But you say he's advanced in reading. So why not? In addition, King himself describes Pet Sematary as his most terrifying novel. But I started with the most tumultuous. Introduce your son to the book. If necessary, tell him some spoilers. If he finds it too scary, he won't read it. If it is interesting to him, he will turn to it himself. This is my personal opinion, but you as a parent know your child well and know what will scare him and what will not.
Noah Combs
I was twelve when I picked up this book, and yeah it’s tough. But the ONLY person who should be making this decision is you and your kid, because those are the only people qualified to.
Keep in mind your kid might be a lot more advanced then you might think. Sure, we might be kids, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be able to read the literary genius and philosophical wonder that is this book.
Keep in mind your kid might be a lot more advanced then you might think. Sure, we might be kids, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be able to read the literary genius and philosophical wonder that is this book.
Sam C
Only if your son is fine not getting sleep for the next few weeks
Leli-b
I read several King books around that age and im fine ;) actually I loved them.
Rachel S.
I would have been way too scared to read this before the age of 16 or so. It is mature and deals not only with death and reanimated cadavers, but life crippling loss that with which many cannot cope. This one has a lot of horror.
Tim
I wouldn't recommend this to a 10 year old. But you asked this 8 years ago so I do think it's ok for a mature 18 year old.
Book Adicted
Pet sematary is easy enough for a ten year old to read but the violence may be to much, I read it when I was 13 and would say wait until at least 12 years old
Lizzy Gaming
I watched Cujo with my mom and I’m 13, I’m not scared because before watching it, I saw how they made the dogs look like Cujo in the film.
Matt Leishman
Yeah, probably not. There are some parts that aren't good for children, and other parts that are just really tragic and a little upsetting. The book is scary not in a piss-yourself and have nightmares (kind of) but instead more of a "oh-goodness-I-am-going-to-through-up" way. Especially if you pay attention to detail and can predict things that will happen. Edit: The 11 year olds commenting, (or at the time) don't listen to them they might, hopefully not, understand some of the super mature audience stuff, advanced reading doesn't mean advanced knowing (I guess).
Jason Beam
No. This book and An Agenda of Blood are not books for kids.
Emma Deimel
To answer your question briefly - no!
Your kid might be an advanced good reader, but regarding the heavy content of the book it’s not at all appropriate for a kid his age.
I am 21 and I am absolutely terrified by the novel.
Steven King has some great work but I recommend waiting a few years before giving your kid a Steven King novel.
Your kid might be an advanced good reader, but regarding the heavy content of the book it’s not at all appropriate for a kid his age.
I am 21 and I am absolutely terrified by the novel.
Steven King has some great work but I recommend waiting a few years before giving your kid a Steven King novel.
Joe Blogs
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Steph G.
Children should NOT read this. Especially children with pets.
Anna
I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s not very difficult to read, but there are some scenes that are not really age-appropriate, a lot of profanity, and, of course, it is pretty scary and covers some difficult topics. I have read Stephen King before and even so, I lost sleep because of the book.
Sakari- M-Griffiths
YES! I think he should. I also know that your son is now 14 because you asked the question 4 years ago. I'm reading Pet Sematary and I'm only 11.
Scarlet
A 10 year old definitely should not be reading this. I think readers should at least be older than 12 since I read this book when I was 13 and it did made me look at death differently
Raz O'Xane
I'm seriously concerned about you as a parent if you think this is a good read for your kid.
Alyson Stone
I would say no. It's a very dark and messed up book.The content is terrifying and the book is written in a way that feels so real. There is no way that I would let a ten year old read Stephen King. That's the problem with having an advanced reader at that age. It's hard to find books that are on his level but age appropriate. Have you ever looked into YA?
Jamie Prince
I would say...."no"
Bil Richardson
NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!
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