Twilight breaking dawn is it suitable for an 11yr old?

[1234ThumbWar]

Dd1 is almost at the end of the third of the twilight books, she also has breaking dawn. She stupidly mentioned that this forth book is only in the senior section of her school library, so I'm wondering why. If she's read the firt three is number four much more adult?

She's not happy with me for querying it as she's somewhat obsessed.

[ByTheSea]

My D-11 has read it and says it's okay a mature 11-year-old. I quote her:

"It can get intense. There is some sex during the honeymoon and she gets all bruised. It's not the nicest description of sex, but after that it's all right if she's read the other three books."

Oh dear. I don't tend to censor my DD's reading but maybe I should...

[1234ThumbWar]

Brilliant Bythesea just the feedback I need. Dd is in a mega strop so will have a word about the sex and let her read it.

She did say that shed read loads of books with sex in so I'm another one who ought to be censoring.

[cory]

I don't censure, but with such a young child I would read the books myself and discuss with her the way women and women's sexuality is portrayed. To my mind, sex in books is not a problem in itself, not even explicit sex: it's more about what kind of idea the books convey about what sex should be like.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

I think i wouldn't want an 11 year old to read it because the character of Bella is such a wet blanket and is completely controlled by Edward. Plus it's a bag of shite.

But, frankly, I wouldn't censor anything my dd wanted to read in reality. I was reading jackie Collins and Lace by Shirley Conran. At least in Twilight they are not having troilistic sex whilst high on quaaludes

[GetOrfMoiLand]

I meant I was reading Jackie Collins etc at the age of 11.

[cory]

It's the sexist drivel angle that would worry me rather than the sex. Not the message I would like any girl on the cusp of puberty to take away really. But dd assures me that she will call the police if any control freakery vampires appear in her bedroom. So it's probably alright.

[1234ThumbWar]

Me too Getorf - I still remember the scene with the fish in Lace. I also used to steel my Mum's Roald Dahl books Tales of the Unexpected etc and used to frighten myself to death.

Anyway - we've had a chat about the sex in the book, my propaganda's obviously working as she kept saying I know, I know.

[ByTheSea]

I also read loads of totally unsuitable trash when I was that age. DD and I talk a lot and she's a total feminist, so I don't think the sexist drivel from the Twilight series is affecting her negatively. I think it's just a bit of escapism for her.

[Honeymum]

There is an extremely graphic birth scene in Breaking Dawn, very violent and gory. I wouldn't want my 11 year old to read it. The description of Bella's pregnancy and her reaction to it is very extreme too. I would read it first yourself and then decide, but I would say it was unsuitable.

[Honeymum]

But there's no sex to speak off. You've got to go to Twilight fanfiction for that - and it's great - you definitely don't want her getting her hands on that!!

[nooka]

My just turned 10 year old recently read them all with no ill effect. There is very little detail on the sex side, nothing to worry about I think - dd enjoyed the kissing parts much more. Personally I think that the earlier books are more sexist (certainly Bella is more pathetic), so if she's read those then I don't see any issue with finishing the series. Except that it has a really irritating everything is perfect ending.

I was concerned that dd would think that the way Bella thinks (I am not worthy etc etc) was normal, but she tells me that Bella is a very bad role model but that the books are fun to read (along with a lot of "but it's about teenagers, still currently a total alien species to her).

I wonder whether the final book is in the older section simply because it is so much bigger - perhaps they think that the younger children just wouldn't be able to tackle them? They are all in teen fiction at our library/bookshop.