Is it appropriate to read for 6-7th graders

[Mary]

I read it my freshman year in high school but I think that it should be appropriate for 6-7th graders.

[[deleted user]]

Of course it's appropriate. Children know what is going on. Better to be open and honest with them.

[Neko]

I know someone in 4th grd who read it and loved it

[Donna]

It may be that children who are young can read and enjoy it at some level if they have an above-average vocabulary. I used it with gifted 7th graders and they loved it. I surely would not use it for younger students in the classroom. The crux of the trial is rape and the racism of the "justice" system (comfortably distant, and comfortably far away, at least for northerners).

I think it's a lot easier to tie in current events and ask whether the court system is fairer now than it was then if you are teaching older students. For a civics/language arts block class, I would want to teach it to high school students because they think more independently about abstract issues; middle and elementary students tend to mirror their parents' belief system, and so I don't think teaching it at that age gives them as much growth in terms of higher-level thinking.

At home? The parent must decide. If your child reads it at a very young age, I'd encourage you to keep a copy around for a re-read later.

[Stephen]

One of my favorite books of all time. I agree sixth grade is not too young. It tells about life and 6th graders are part of life. I recall the movie as well which has the single best scene in American film in which the African American folk are attending the trial of the blakc man accused of raping a woman. The case is lost and Atticus Finch collects his things and begins to walk out. From the balcony a older man says to scout, as every one rises to their feet. "Stand up, Scout. You're father is passing by. Scout is in about 6th grade, if she can handle the story so can another 6th grader...

[Mary]

Stephen wrote: "One of my favorite books of all time. I agree sixth grade is not too young. It tells about life and 6th graders are part of life. I recall the movie as well which has the single best scene in Ameri..."

I agree except Scout was in 1st grade. :0)

[Stephen]

Well she certainly spoke well for a first grader...lol

[Mary]

Stephen wrote: "Well she certainly spoke well for a first grader...lol"

She did! We really do not know how old Scout was when she was narrating. She is telling the story about her past. The story begins with Scout going to school for the first time (so she would have been 6) and the story takes place over the course of about 13-14 months. She would have been 7 when the story ended.

[Linda]

I think it is good for grades 6 and 7 to read this. I feel they are at the right age to understand this book and hopefully learn from it.

[Bry)Ea]

I just started reading it and so far it is appropriate

[Genevieve]

I agree. I recently read it (I'm eleven and read it myself) but if you want to read it between 6th and 5th grade, read it at least twice, so you actually get the summary of the story.

[Ellen]

I have taught language arts to 5th graders and to 7th graders. I think that younger students will not get the deeper meaning in the novel. I think it would be better for 8th and 9th grade students.

[Staci]

Ashley-Anne wrote: "I think it is it's not scary or sexual, there's no swearing. It might be a bit confusing though"
As long as "Son of a bitch" isn't a swear word to you.

[Jack]

I agree, 5th and 6th graders should read.

[Ruby]

It may help improve their attention, since they mostly do not even listen to the end of any conversation and get easily distracted.

[Ruby]

Greg wrote: "Here is a lost passage from Lee Harper's "To Kill a Mockingbird":

Atticus Finch said, "That negro is guilty as sin, Scout. But if I don't make ole man Ewell look like he raped his daughter, the c..."

THEY WERE RACISTS, and that is a fact... The ending is quite amazing as those who are to protect the law, join hands to cover-up a murder.

[Mai]

Yeah, I actually read To Kill A Mockingbird the summer before I started 7th grade.

[Sarah]

I think that seventh grade is a good time to read this book. It's not particularly inappropriate (though still holds some mature content) and I think it's important for kids to be introduced to these problems.

[Mary]

Greg wrote: "Greg wrote: "Ruby wrote: "Greg wrote: "Here is a lost passage from Lee Harper's "To Kill a Mockingbird":

Atticus Finch said, "That negro is guilty as sin, Scout. But if I don't make ole man Ewell..."

You have missed the whole point of the book. And you shouldn't want to wipe out a different era. You are so insulting (and wrong) about the character of a little girl that it sounds like you are threatened by her. And just where did you get some "lost" line from this book? Atticus was a just and good man.

[Mary]

Sarah wrote: "I think that seventh grade is a good time to read this book. It's not particularly inappropriate (though still holds some mature content) and I think it's important for kids to be introduced to the..."

Definitely, agree.

[Jawed]

Its more than appropriate for 6th and 7th graders to read it. The book presents some values and morals which the children needs to understand and what better way than learning those through a story. This will make it get embedded in their mind. The ill affects of racism and why it is bad is presented very appropriately in this masterpiece.

[Gieselle]

I read this book for school when I was 15, but I do not think I would have really appreciated it for the masterpiece it was if it had not been for my amazing teacher. However, I think someone younger could definitely read it as long as they are somewhat exposed to the harsher parts of life that this book discusses. To answer your question, I would say around 11 is best. It is told through the eyes of a child, has very funny parts, and most of it's messages have to be thought about to understand. Therefore, it is a book someone young could read and enjoy, but it is worth more than one read because every time something new may stand out. That's how you know it is good!

[Zalia]

deleted user wrote: "I just finished reading it with my sophomore students. They really enjoyed it, as a whole. I read it last year with my 8th grade students. I had to explain a lot more about the parts and pieces to ..."
I personally read it in the summer before 7th grade and have re-read it 6 times since as well as Go Set A Watchman. However, I first read I Kill The Mockingbird which excited me and ultimately encourage me to read the book.

[Jose]

Although the book is appropriate for its minimal use of profane language, and no scary or sexual themes, I would not recommend this book for the average 6th or 7th grader. The language used could be difficult to understand for some 6-7th graders. I read this book during my freshman year of high school, and even though I was able to understand it, I noticed that some of my peers were struggling to pick up on the language or literary devices the author used. If it is difficult for the students to read, it may cause them to abandon the book altogether. Another thing, is the history in the book. If the middle schoolers have not learned about the time period the book is set in, they will not fully understand what the author wants them to. This book is a classic for the themes presented to the readers, and it would be a shame if the students walked away without understanding what a mockingbird is.
My advice would be for advanced readers to go ahead and read the novel. It could give them a head start since this novel is assigned by most high school teachers. These readers would most likely catch on to the themes of the book. They would also be able to catch certain details the second time reading this book, that they did not catch in the first time reading it.

[Andrea]

I personally think this is a great books and everyone should be able to read it. It gives important messages and has great morals. I believe it is appropriate for 6th and 7th graders, they should however make sure to dig deep and anylize what they read.

[Jojhan]

This book is definitely one of the books everyone should read regardless of their age. It is a great way to teach young children the effects and consequences that racism can and does have in not only the past but the present as well.

[Yurem]

Yes it is you just have to be mature about it because it talks about real life problems.

[Mary]

If a child can read it, any book is appropriate for any age.

[bookchild]

Yes and no. I read it at ll years, but I'm a more mature reader. I think as long as they can understand the moral and how the title links to the story, plus they can be more mature about the content, it is fine.

[Martha]

I personally feel that this book is a CLASSIC and kids at least in 5th grade till 8th grade should read it. It is not scaring, scary, or over the top in any way (IMO). I do understand that a lot of books are "too triggering," but how in the world can a book be triggering for someone that young and hasn't even LIVED long enough to get triggered by a dang book.

[Mary]

Martha wrote: "I personally feel that this book is a CLASSIC and kids at least in 5th grade till 8th grade should read it. It is not scaring, scary, or over the top in any way (IMO). I do understand that a lot of..."

Amen. I first read it in 2nd grade. I am SO tired of people trying to censor books.

[Martha]

Mary wrote: "Martha wrote: "I personally feel that this book is a CLASSIC and kids at least in 5th grade till 8th grade should read it. It is not scaring, scary, or over the top in any way (IMO). I do understan..."
I can't stand the "cancel culture"

[Raven]

I read this book in 7th grade as a part of the Colorado Education system and while for a younger person it may be difficult to understand everything that is going on I believe it is important. Looking back I appreciate that I was made to read this as it helped me further understand how people often treat others and the themes are important lessons in life.

[Cathie]

My favorite book of all time. I read it for the first time in 8th grade. I sent a copy to my oldest granddaughter who is in 8th grade because I wanted to share it with her.

[Meggy]

My entire 3rd grade classmates and I took turns reading it aloud, and then we watched the black and white, reel-to-reel film starring Gregory Peck. It was wonderful.
During more recent years, my now-late husband read it aloud to our children near their bedtime for a few nights. It was enjoyed again by all, as were lots of Newberry award winning books. They're richer people for the experience, I still trust.

[CatherineAda]

I first read this book when I was in 6th grade, so yes, absolutely appropriate. I've re-read it so often I could probably describe each character in great detail. This book was one of my early lessons in empathy and justice, and also echoed what I already knew: people can be so cruel to anyone they decide is different.

[Ellorie]

I would say yes, many of the topics are very potent in today's world. However, making sure that the reader understands that this was written in an older world, with different language, that is very offensive now, is necessary.