Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone question

Um well I read it when I was in second grade but it depends on the kids,I mean if they get scared easy then I don't think you should but if they would like something like this then why not?

Maybe the first, but after that it gets very complicated for the younger kids to understand what is going on. They might be better off to watch the movies.

yep

i think you can because i read it in 2nd grade.

Yes kids should read them as they progress through school. 2nd or 3rd grade is a good time to start

Deciding whether this or any book can be read with any group depends on so many more factors than the grade level of the students. Of course, I'm hardly the only person who has had that comment. I just wanted to throw that out there for discussion. As far as whole classes go, it's tough to make the call since each student in the class brings their own issues to the table. I probably wouldn't read it to a second grade class since there are so many other texts that would be just as or more suitable that I wouldn't want to devote that amount of time to getting through the Potter stories. Aside from that, the Harry Potter series is on a shortlist of books that at least a few of those students are likely to read independently anyway. It doesn't need any help with developing new fans. It's already got them.

I don't think I would read it aloud to 2nd graders because some kids will not be ready for it. However, my daughter read it in 2nd grade and loved it. I see no reason 2nd graders cannot read it if they are able and emotionally ready.

Absolutely.

Ask the kids parents if they want, then ask the kids.

The first few books could probably be read progressively over year to the class. However, some of the themes and events of the books as the story progresses in the serious would not be suitable for younger audiences.

I read the first four books when I was 7/8 (I'm English, so not entirely sure what grades equate to in years) and that was only because the rest hadn't come out yet.

I find it difficult to imagine anyone being traumatised by reading any of the books. Also, a lot of the supposed 'dark' material in the books such as the loss of family does happen to young children in real life. So there's no need to protect them from it.

I don't know what age kids are in second grade, classes aren't counted like that here in Ireland.
But the first three are generally fine to be read in a classroom, and I loved (and still love!) the whole series.

No Way! I mean, the kids might be able to understand some of it, but if you really want them to enjoy it I think you should wait till they're older.

I don't think so.
I think kids in second grade CAN read it, but it shouldn't be read to the class.
When it came out I was in 2nd grade and I read it. But as people have said, some families are religious and don't want their children reading them. Also, I would venture to say not all second graders are mature enough for it. Some are, some aren't.

nooooooo

Funny you should say that because my second grade teacher actually read the entire book to us.

i read this book in 2nd grade my teacher loved harry potter but we didnt understand it much

It's a fantastic book, but I have to say, DEFINITELY NO. I'm really really really really sure on that!

ABSOLUTELY. But as the series progresses, it becomes more teenage material so maybe not ALL the books, but majority-yeah

okay, once more. spam. and you just copied that from me.

yes, I read all of the harry potter in second grade(except for the last one but thats because it didn't come out till I was in fourth grade)

Certainly.

I feel as if this book can be read at an even earlier age and still be immensley enjoyed.

Yes, book one is mostly about the fantasy world itself and Harry's relationships with the other characters. I read books 1-3 to my kids when they were 6-10 years old. Book four is when the fantasy world gets dark and the books don't end with a happy ending. I would wait until at least age 11 or 12 to start the last books, (besides the fact that they get very complicated and can't understand the complexity of the stories). It is an incredible series and introducing the class to them will be like giving them a gift. Happy Reading!

I love Harry Potter, and I think everyone should read them that can handle it. While the first 3 are not as intense as the last half of the series, I don't feel that they are appropriate for second graders to read on their own. I think a good age is fourth grade just because it is too hefty for a 2nd grader (intimidating), and some material that a second grader wouldn't understand, but every child is different. I guess if it was guided and you discussed the book as you go it should be fine.

I compared the lexile score for the Harry Potter books to Twilight books. Harry Potter scored higher.

Yes please! My teacher read the first one to our class in 2nd or 3rd grade. They're so exciting, so it's a GREAT way to get kids reading on their own early.

And shut up about Lexile scores. If kids want to read it, let them read it, & don't restrict them.

No, some parents might get mad. One of my friends can't read it because it deals with the idea that wizardry is real.

I started reading the series in first grade and I really enjoyed the book. I'm now a HUGE Harry Potter fan and I would recommend the book to anyone even 2nd graders. You might have some kids that don't understand all the material, but there are many life lessons to be learned from the second book.

The first novel? Absolutley1 My 2nd grade teacher read the 1st and 2nd books to us in school, and it was what made me fall in love with them. They are perfect for that reading level, especially if read aloud. But after the Chamber of Secrets, it gets a little tricky. The 3rd novel is quite different from the first 2, and though plenty of young readers can handle it, as I did, many may struggle. It all depends on what the child can handle. Do I think second and third graders should be reading the Deathly Hallows? Perhaps not. But I do think the early novels of the series are a great way to get children interested in reading. They have for so many other children around the world. It is just a shame that the kids in elementary school now aren't able to grow up with it in the way my age group did.

I think like many people on this forum, that the first books yes because they are fairly simple reads but as the series develops the books do get more complicated and not for second, third or fourth graders. More like 6th grade. I think that can be popular with kids because of the imagination the books have which will make the kids want to read.

no. idk 2nd graders would understand. i know some 3rd graders that start running into walls to get to a train station.

I have 2 boys, neither of which could have read this in the 2nd grade. Yes, some kids could, but for the rest, it would be truly frustrating. I am a teacher.

I started reading Harry Potter when I was in second grade and I turned out all right.

My 3rd grader can read these but most 2nd graders can't handle it. Of course there will always be gifted natural readers out there who can read Tolstoy when still in diapers but most kids these days play hours of video games every day and only read when forced to at school, never for pleasure.

My daughter read the first Harry Potter in first grade and I think it would be fine for a 2nd grade class. I agree with others who say that some of the books later in the series are not suitable for younger kids though.

yeah. i read it in second grade

DUH