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For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Parenting

Jacqueline Wilson books for a 7 year old?

11 replies

almondfinger · 19/02/2015 22:28

DD1 has a reading age of 11.5. She read Queenie and loved it. Is on Diamond (I think). We were looking at books today and I noticed on the back of some it says 'For older readers'.

The book in question was Dustbin baby. Is the content scary/more early teen? My mother says I should let her read it and see life isn't wonderful for everyone.

What sort of content is 'for older readers' alluding to?

OP posts:

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ch1134 · 19/02/2015 23:16

Could you read it first and decide for yourself?

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maresedotes · 19/02/2015 23:25

I hate Jacqueline Wilson books. My DD1, when 8, brought one home from school. Started reading it but stopped to ask me what 'slag' meant and the story was about a woman who had a one night stand, got pregnant and didn't know who the father was. Not appropriate for younger children and I don't agree with JW that they should read books that depict real life.

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LionsTeeth · 19/02/2015 23:29

I loved Jacqueline Wilson when I was younger, but now, looking back, I can see how messed up they were. I think seven is too young, and I would argue that possibly any age is too young. Not a fan at all.

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Tsoukalosy · 19/02/2015 23:32

I love JW and read the dustbin baby aged about 7 or 8. It depends on your dd. its a story of a girl abandoned as a newborn but it does have a breif mention of suicide but that may go over her head? Give it a read first snd decide.

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LionsTeeth · 19/02/2015 23:33

Dustbin baby, as far as I can remember is about a girl who was found in a bin as a baby. I think her adoptive mother committed suicide, and there is an incident where someone is pushed down a flight of stairs. Can't remember anything else, but clearly not a nice book.

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Tsoukalosy · 19/02/2015 23:36

I love that book. Yeah her adoptive mother commits suicide and she goes into care and her nasty foster sister gets pushed downstairs by her but she recovers. She then finds the man who rescued her from the bin and its heart warming. I still love that book.

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ilovemyshirt · 19/02/2015 23:37

Some Jacqueline Wilson books are suitable for this age. My 7 year old has read Sleepovers and The worst thing about my sister. Both quite tame really, just about friendship groups/sibling relationships.

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AlpacaMyBags · 20/02/2015 00:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BeCoolItWasMeWotKilledLucy · 20/02/2015 01:47

How do you find out a child's reading age?

Has she read the David Waillims books? And Roald Dahl? Maybe too young though?

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Snapespotions · 20/02/2015 02:17

I was so relieved when dd decided she didn't like JW! I wouldn't let your dd read that stuff just yet.

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almondfinger · 02/03/2015 19:43

Sorry, got absorbed in the Bridzilla thread.

We are in Ireland. There is a literacy liftoff program in school that tests their reading abilities.

She has put Queenie on my bedside pile as 'It is the best book ever and she's knows I would love it'. She is contemplating a career in the circus now that she is reading Diamond! Maybe a break from J Wilson is in order...

I'll skim through Dustbin baby but am veering her towards St Claire's and Malory Towers. Unfortunately she baulks at Roald Dahl.

Have a David Walliams from the library that that dd2 has appropriated.

Thanks for all your advice.