Is this appropriate for a 13-year-old advanced reader?

[Stephanie]

As a school library media specialist, I can say without hesitation that this is NOT appropriate for middle school. I don't even know if I would suggest for high school. This books deals with some pretty serious content that is disturbing even for adult readers.

[Tanya]

I'm not a mother but if I was, I wouldn't want my child to read this book. My nephew is 11 and I wouldn't want him to read this book either. I mainly wouldn't want him to read this because of all of the deceitful ways this couple was disrespectful to each other.

[Pat]

With all the great stories available for the tweens, also, no matter how mature one may think a 13 year old is, this Gone Girl is not appropriate reading for that age group. Romance, dating, marriage, adultery, scheming, dishonesty, violence, any number of things that a youth is not mature enough to make sense of is included in that book.
How about Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children?
Unequivocally, I vote no.

[Mochaspresso]

Pat wrote: "How about Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children?"

The only problem with this is that the "mature" 13 year old already read that one back when they were 9.

[Pat]

I have a 30 y.o son who was, and still is, an unbelievably voracious (to my great joy)reader at an early age. I will ask him if he has any suggestions. He has read more books than anyone I know.
I will get back to you-perhaps he has some ideas. An unchallenged mind, particularly of a very mature bright child is not good! Perhaps we could help with some suggestions.
Matthew read Jurassic Park in 4th grade. Mind you, that was around 1993, I think. I doubted that he did,but his Teacher said the book report was good. Who was I to argue? The book did not interest me, and I hadn't read it. I trusted her.
By the way, have you read Gone Girl? And did you like it?

[Maria]

Kids become jaded at such a young age nowadays anyway, I say why help it along by letting them read a mature book like this? Let them be a kid as long as they can - once they cross the line there's no going back.

[Terry M]

Absolutely not appropriate. There are a lot of worthwhile adult books for an advanced young reader. This isn't one.

[Lori]

Even as a good, nerdy Catholic school girl with pretty strict parents, I read voraciously - everything from Shakespeare to Jacqueline Susann. If my mother knew I was reading anything "racy" she never said a word to me (she's the one who brought them home!) but I also had the sense not to flaunt that I was reading a book that might be considered, by an adult, inappropriate for my age. Now, as a parent, I "pretend" to cluck at an inappropriate book choice...and then leave them alone. They see more sex, violence, and disturbed humanity on prime time TV, never mind the news.

[Mona]

I think you have a good point, Lori...I was just saying that I didn't think teens would understand the psychological and social subtleties of this book, so it wouldn't be the best choice for them.

[Nora]

Let the young person decide. If she starts it and it's too much, she'll set it aside.

[Stacey]

Noway! Too advanced content for a 13 year old.

[Lori]

Mona wrote: "I think you have a good point, Lori...I was just saying that I didn't think teens would understand the psychological and social subtleties of this book, so it wouldn't be the best choice for them."

I completely agree - it's certainly not the "best" choice of book for a young teen and they probably wouldn't understand the nuances of sociopathy. As far as appropriate reading material, it really depends on the teen and on their parents. But I save my vetoes for movies and TV...I think all reading is good reading!

[Tama]

way too dark for me
did not like this book... waste of time!

[Mo]

NO! Characters are too dark and disturbed.

[Dianna]

Ashley wrote: "To answer the title, No, I don't think it's "appropriate" for a 13 YO kid."

Agreed! No way would I let my 13 year old read this.

[Michele]

Advanced or not....the content is for adult readership.

[Lobstergirl]

Andrew wrote: "What if the person in question is now 15?"

Definitely appropriate for a 15 year old, unless they have the mental capacities of a 6 year old.

[Lobstergirl]

Maria wrote: "Kids become jaded at such a young age nowadays anyway, I say why help it along by letting them read a mature book like this? Let them be a kid as long as they can - once they cross the line there's no going back. ..."

Oh, I don't know about that. If there was no going back, you wouldn't have so many adults reading YA and middle grade books....just because they want to. That's the level of book they enjoy and want to read.

[Lobstergirl]

Lori wrote: "Now, as a parent, I "pretend" to cluck at an inappropriate book choice...and then leave them alone. "

I think this is a good avenue to take.

It's probably likely they will agree with your opinion that the book is trashy or obscene or whatnot. But they have to satisfy their curiosity. In ten years they will no longer be as curious about trashy books and will be reading better quality literature.

[Ms L.O.S.T]

Is it OK for a 15 year old?

I wouldn't go out and buy it for my 15 year old. But if I saw they were reading it I wouldn't stop them. Kids read some dark stuff at school, but it's discussed, analyzed and given context by teachers. If my 15 year old was reading this it would be up to me to provide some guidance. Instead of watch with mother it's read with mother.

[Susanne]

I would not let me 13 year old read this book. I'm a firm believer in staying around her age group - young adult books. I can't think of one reason why it would be a positive experience. Yes, it is fiction, but content I believe made for an adult.

[Mary]

Who in the WORLD would think a 13 year old would be interested in a story about the horrors of marriage and adult relationships?! What an idiotic question.

[Mj]

If you're planning to give the book as an unrequested gift - the answer is an unequivocal NO.

If you're planning to give the book to someone who asked for it, who you care about or you have responsibility for - I would suggest you read it yourself first if you haven't already and then make your own decision.

[Andi]

Absolutely NOT!!!

[Rose]

I think a 13 yr old needs to learn a lot more about functional relationships before reading about the extreme dysfunction in this book.

[Mario]

I don't now, i think it's all up to the mature of her/his. I mean, i'm 12 and i read it, and i absolutely... Ew w/ some parts, but i can really understand de dysfunctional relationship, i guess it's bc i got an amazing hability to see like the character, so...
So, yes, he can read it if his/her is mature and had an open mind
*I'm not supposed to talk about this but....*

[Rios]

I read it and i'm 14, so... I guess if you really wanted to. But it is pretty dark. So if you're sensitive to those kinds of things you should wait a few more years. But I already read lots of Stephen King and adult themed books. My parents are fine with it

[Laureen]

I am astounded at the responses here. Surely it depends on the maturity of the 13yr old. I have met 13yr olds with far more wisdom than some 80 yr olds. If the 13yr old has had a lot of exposure to life as in good parental guidance in discussing relationships which any responsible adult would have done by the time their child was 13, and been reading, listening and observing since they were born, then I don't see why they couldn't read this book. It may even educate them about first impressions of a prospective beau and make them a little more cautious outside of their raging hormones.

Reading is always good. So long as the parents are open to discussing any queries. It is a great lead into the mind of our children, without the embarrassment of having to introduce "the talk".

[Laureen]

P.S. I don't think it matters that the 13yr old misses some of the nuances of the story. It leaves something to the imagination and raises questions that they will relate back to in future experiences.

[Mini]

No definitely not!

[Kenna]

Even though they may understand the premise, it is the underlying story that they will not understand. The content is completely adult and a 13 year old would not have the life experience to comprehend the theme of the novel.

[Rachel]

I was reading books from the adult section of the library at 13, all depends on the individual

[Bobby]

I saw the movie and read the book before. My ticket says 14A but on Gone Girl's movie website, I agree, R. This is literally word by word the book and contains the same profanity as seen on the screen. That's fine because I applaud them for sticking with the original story. But then the graphic scenes. Sex, blood, thrilling twisting events, it's all shown and not censored, like you would see while reading the book. Yay for that! But R as many I know could get offended. I loved both the book and movie but I'm not letting my 14 year old brother who's an IB student read or watch this (yet).

[Laureen]

Rachel wrote: "I was reading books from the adult section of the library at 13, all depends on the individual"

I totally agree. One thing that is currently in fashion is to over-protect our children to the extent that they enter adulthood with no concept of how to handle any adversity. Education is a must and reading is a great way of understanding people and gives us the tools and confidence to be able to handle adversity.

[Lobstergirl]

Mary wrote: "Who in the WORLD would think a 13 year old would be interested in a story about the horrors of marriage and adult relationships?! What an idiotic question."

Me. I would. I was at age 13.

[Lori]

Laureen wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I was reading books from the adult section of the library at 13, all depends on the individual"

I totally agree. One thing that is currently in fashion is to over-protect our child..."

Total agreement. I absorbed far more practical knowledge from Harold Robbins than from Nancy Drew (said with love, Nancy!) We need to protect our kids from many things but never from too much reading or education.

[Lori]

Lobstergirl wrote: "Mary wrote: "Who in the WORLD would think a 13 year old would be interested in a story about the horrors of marriage and adult relationships?! What an idiotic question."

Me. I would. I was at ag..."

Me too!

[Maria]

Rose wrote: "I think a 13 yr old needs to learn a lot more about functional relationships before reading about the extreme dysfunction in this book."

I agree.

[Lori]

Laureen wrote: "I am astounded at the responses here. Surely it depends on the maturity of the 13yr old. I have met 13yr olds with far more wisdom than some 80 yr olds. If the 13yr old has had a lot of exposure..."

Where's the button to "like" your comment? Pretty much all reading is good reading.

[Maria]

Mario wrote: "I don't now, i think it's all up to the mature of her/his. I mean, i'm 12 and i read it, and i absolutely... Ew w/ some parts, but i can really understand de dysfunctional relationship, i guess it'..."

This is a perfect example of why 12 or 13 year olds shouldn't read it.

[Maria]

People, this book is not "education" - it's a dark book about weird, violent deceptive people doing horrible things to each other.

If that's the "education" you want your 13 year old to get - then go for it.

[Maria]

"All reading is good reading" ?? Lori, seriously?

[Lori]

Maria wrote: ""All reading is good reading" ?? Lori, seriously?"

Yes, seriously. Good and bad, uplifting or dark, truth, deceptions, justice, cruelty...naughty or nice, there is still something to be gleaned from just about any book.

[Maria]

I guess it should be modified to say "all reading CAN BE good reading - for the appropriate audience".

Someone mentioned getting educated by Harold Robbins books. I don't think I'd want my 12 year old to be "educated" by his raunchy, sometimes degrading, sex scenes. Sure, the stories are good, but there are some things that are meant for the adult mind.

I think it's pure laziness for a parent to say "my kid can read whatever they want....they'll ask questions if they are confused."

Yes, yes they will - they'll ask their friends and look online for answers, but I truly doubt they'll bring you a Harold Robbins book open to an explicit sex scene and say "Mom, please explain this to me".

[Shana]

Absolutely not. While it's a great book for an adult, it is disturbing on many levels and not something a 13 y.o. should be exposed to in my opinion.

[John]

I say let them read it, they've already read and seen things you wouldn't believe if they told you. What's the worst that can happen to them, the answer is nothing, it's a book not a real life experience.

[Rachel]

I would much rather a 13 year old read a good book than waste their life on Facebook, I'm sure there are much worse things on there

[Maria]

Rachel wrote: "I would much rather a 13 year old read a good book than waste their life on Facebook, I'm sure there are much worse things on there"

There probably are worse things on there, which is why a 13 year old's Facebook account should be monitored on a regular basis by a PARENT. Screw their privacy. Their safety is more important at that age.

[Rachel]

And I always found safety in fiction, still do

[Sandra]

No! No! No!