AIBU to think that Dork Diaries is not a suitable school book for 7 year old

[herewearenowentertainus]

extract from 7 year old dd's school reading book

"I almost died when she actually got paint on my favourite shirt. OMG! I had a hissy fit right there on the spot. Okay, I'll admit it. That spot of paint on my shirt WAS kind of small. But the last time I watched Judge Judy on television, she specifically stated, parents are responsible for the damage their child does to the property of other people. And that's the LAW, you @!%$& IDIOT!!"

do any other mums think that this is not appropriate or am i being too snobby?

[coconuttella]

It may not be beautiful flowing prose, but if it helps to make your child want to read then I don't see the issue. There's nothing I would argue is inappropriate there for a 7 year old.

[TheRealPooTroll]

My dd reads them. What is the word before IDIOT out of interest?
It depends on the 7 yr old imo. If they recognise it's a character in a book and not something to be copied then they are old enough imo.
Books aimed at boys of a similar age re MUCH worse.

[herewearenowentertainus]

Oh dear, got 2 younger brothers to go yet...!

Well the word before 'idiot' was all asterixed out like that so dd asked what that meant, I made out it was nothing but it made me think - hang on a minute, why am I having to gloss over would-be swear word in a young child's book?

[Notso]

I don't really see how it's inappropriate. What is it you have an issue with?

[Notso]

Sorry cross post.

I would and have explained that asterisks replace swear words. Most 7 year olds know about swearing don't they?

[wigglesrock]

My daughters read the first one at about 7. They know people swear, they hear me swear, I would assume they would ask me if they didn't get the meaning of the starring out of the words but I would have no issue telling them it's like when I say bloody under my breath.

[herewearenowentertainus]

I guess I don't like the idea of dd wanting to be like the girl the book is about, with the OMG's, hissy fits, things making her 'die', 'hating' other girls at school being a drama queen... and we don't swear around dc while they're still young so don't think it should be in a school book

[someonestolemynick]

Honestly, you are being very a bit over the top.
You are turning things like swearing and OMGinginto something attractive by making a big thing out of it.

[BossWitch]

I think I agree with you OP. Yes they know swearing happens at 7, but I don't think that's the same as swearing being used (even if asterisks are being used to replace the word) by the main character in a children's book. Children will, at that age, be likely to try to identify or attach to the character in the book they are reading. I wouldn't want my 7 year old daughter latching on to the mini-teen drama queen twat of a character that this one seems to be. And if it's from school then it is legitimised - school gave me this book so it must be OK.

I'm an English teacher by the way. Not into censorship. But for 7 year olds, I'd say the school could make some better choices.

[TheRealPooTroll]

But if she's reading it with a parent then there is the opportunity for discussion about how the character is behaving. If they know anyone like that in real life, how that behaviour makes people feel etc. Badly behaved characters can be as good an example as well behaved ones imo.

[allowlsthinkalot]

My seven year old dd is a good reader, she has read Wimpy Kid, the first two Harry Potters, some Jacqueline Wilson. I wouldn't think that was a great book for her to read from the extract you've given.