Anyone read Holes? How old a child would it be suitbale for?

[Clary]

My book group is doing it this month and I just read it in something under 24 hrs, I found it excellent.

I thought DD (7 but a good reader) would manage the language but a friend suggested she wouldn't give it to her similar aged DD. It's a bit grim in places, isn't it?

DS1 is 9 but not a great reader (nor very keen) - I wonder if he would manage it? It's such a great tale tho I thought it might engage him.

Anyone any thoughts on a reasonable age for it?

[cornsilk]

I bought it recently for my ds1 (10). He's dyslexic and couldn't read it himself, so dh read it to him. He was in his bedroom today for over an hour insisting that dh finished it - he loved it. Ds2 (7) is keen to read it as well. He is a very capable reader but although he can read the text very well he doesn't really comprehend it in the way that it is intended for the reader.I would think it would be okay for a 9 year old but not really for a child below that age.

[Othersideofthechannel]

I have got this in store for DS and was thinking I would wait until he is 9.

The movie is really good too.

[Clary]

Yes I rather thought 9yo was about the age. Unfortunately not at all sure that my 9yo would stick at it whereas the 7yo might - but maybe shouldn't, IYSWIM.

[hkz]

It's often used in Year 7 as a class reader in English lessons, so 11 years old... but I think it would be fine for a 9 or 10 year old.... the writing style is pretty straight forward, but some of the themes are more suitable for 9+ imo.
It's a great book

[janeite]

It is a really good book and the film is fantastic too. Probably best for around 9-12 year olds.

[singersgirl]

DS1 read it at 9 and even then I think found it a bit old in places. It is definitely about teenagers, so I think even though a 7 year old could read easily it, I wouldn't rush to give it to them.

[Clary]

Thanks all

Yes agree that Stanley must be a teenager.

Will maybe offer it to the 9yo and read it to him if he gives up - there's an idea.

(sorry about typo in threat title btw )

[Clary]

gah! thread title

[nkf]

I think it's placed in the 9 - 13 bracket. Often a class reader in Year 8. My son read it when he was eight and liked it. It's a terrific book.

[RustyBear]

Our year 6 children have read Holes every year for the last three or four years in Literacy and love it especially because they get to go out to the school field to dig a hole, so they can see just how much effort it takes to dig a five foot hole.