swearing in his schoolbook

[38cody]

Hi
My son is a good reader, yr 3 at school and enjoys adventure stories, he reads a lot and varied texts but I casually monitor content.
He came home with a chapter book yesterday that his teacher had recommended and my son actually said to me that he thought it might be a bit old for him. I know that he can read anything so there must have been content that he didn't like rather than reading difficulty. I scanned the book and in the 30 seconds I looked at it for I found the words 'Marijuana' and 'Bastards'.
I think this is definitely not okay for a yr 3 child and he won't be reading it - I've told him to return it and say Mummy said there is swearing in it - but I'm wondering if it's appropriate to have this content in a primary school at all? - would mums of a yr 6 child be okay with this content?

[Seeline]

It would probably depend on the context, but generally yes, especially for an advanced reader.
What was the book?

[38cody]

I don't have the book to hand, can't remember title but context was a child had been excluded for smoking marijuana and friends were worried about school (production?) being affected and ...? ... were bastards.
I only had quick scan, am I being prim for a yr 3 then? Although my son's discontent with it alerted me in the first place, so I think not.

[Twinkie1]

I'd write a note in his home school log rather than ask him to say something. I think when you do that the teacher can then get into a discussion with the child about it which isn't appropriate.

I think I'd read the book from cover to cover to assess the context of those words before I complained too.

[Seeline]

No - I agree not for year 3 - I was responding to your Y6 question!
It sounds as though the children in the story were probably secondary pupils, so I would probably be OK with that for a Y6, not younger.

[Balletgirlmum]

I would be fine with a year 6 child reading it but not a year 3.

[MoonfaceAndSilky]

My sons are in year 6 and I wouldn't like that in one of their books, tbh. What book is it? I would think that sort of content more suitable for secondary school.

[38cody]

It's titled Shadow wave by Robert Muchamore

[38cody]

Omg - So I only had a quick scan this morning - my boy told teacher it had swearing in it and was given a new book but forgot to hand in the unsuitable one. I've just scanned the first chapter...
C pg 9 "the woman caught the briefest glance of dirty faves flopping penis"
"How about some Englush sausage" Dirty Dave sneered
Pg 11 "Ching chong Chinese translater
Ph 12 - you've got enough pussy little yellow bastard"
I can't believe the school gave this to my boy, he's only 8 - he must've read some to tell me he felt it was too old! Poor love - will be returning this in person!

[Feenie]

I had this with Y5 ds - took 5 secs on Amazon to see that it was a book for Young Adults. Just ring the school so they can pull it. They'll be both grateful and embarrassed!

[Feenie]

Cross posts - omg, that is way worse. How the hell did that get on the shelves! Headteacher, first thing.

[heavenlypink]

Classed as 'Young Adults' aged 13 - 21 on goodreads.com

[ElectroStallion]

Shocking language aside, why oh why do schools randomly give children the nth book in a series to read

But, no, I would be v unhappy if my 7yo came home with that.

[kitkat1968]

Is that a cherub book? My DS read the whole series at 7 and I remember being a bit shocked when I picked one up.But he is 18 now and unscathed so I wouldn't worry too much

[38cody]

Recommended 13-21?
I wouldn't want him reading this when he's 13 either! Degrading sexual comments to woman and racism!
In fact I think I'll ban anything that's not Enid Blyton or Beatrix Potter until he's at least 21!

[pippistrelle]

Actually, you'll find plenty of casual misogyny, racism and regular corporal punishment in Enid Blyton too. And doesn't the farmer turn Peter Rabbit's father into a pie? It's a minefield.

[38cody]

Heh Heh - v true pippi

[Seeline]

Ahh - if it's one of the Cherub books I'm with you. My DS discovered one in Y5 and I wasn't happy. I know they are often recommended on this site, but I really don't like them for any age. I agree - misogyny and racism abound.