The Silver Sword

[sittinginthesun]

I have vivid memories of this book - just wondered if it's still being read and, if so, what age it's aimed at?

Thanks.

[SheelaNeGoldGig]

Iust have been about 10 or 11.

That grey kitten has always worried me.

[jeee]

my kids loved it - but when I was reading it to them I struggled with the last couple of chapters because I found myself welling up.

DD1 and DS then read it at school in year 5.

[CakeBump]

A fantastic book.

I would say its aimed at children reading at aged 10 to 11 too. The themes would be a little bit disturbing to a younger child I think.

[sittinginthesun]

Thanks. DS is year 4, and a strong reader who loves history, but I'm just wondering if it'll be a bit much for him. It still makes me feel a bit teary just thinking about it, and it's been 20 years since I read it!

[sassytheFIRST]

Fab book - no younger than 9 IMO tho because of the subject matter.

Grey kitten? What was that? Can't remember that detail...

[SecretSpi]

I read it to my son a couple of years ago when he was 10. He also read "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" around the same time and found "the Silver Sword" a far better book as it has more of a sense of a real story about it - he identified with the children in "The Silver Sword" whereas he found the boy Bruno in TBITSP rather dim!

[DeWe]

Dh read it at about age 6-7. He said it was his first long chapter book and he was determined to read it. He found it a slog, but enjoyed it at the same time if that makes sense. But he has a lot of determination if he decides to do something.

[derekthehamster]

My son enjoyed it. He would have been 10 or 11

[StormGlass]

We did it in school in year 7.

[ScatterChasse]

I read it when I was about 8 I think (just on my own). My DBro did it at school in Year 5, so 9-10 as part of a topic.

[NormanTheForeman]

Ds (who is now 11) read it in year 4. As they did a project about WWII that year, it tied in quite well.

[Colyngbourne]

It's usually read in Year 5 or 6 alongside studing WW2. I agree it is pretty much one of the best stories set in that period.

[DisorderlyNights]

My DS read it in year 3, when he was studying the wars and had been asked to read a novel set then during Easter holidays. I had good memories of enjoying it and we read it together.

He isn't sensitive though, some children wouldn't cope with it at that age.

[Hanorah]

I adored this book as a kid, and I read it to my DTSs a few months ago when they were 10 going on 11. They handled it fine at that age but I wouldn't have tried it much younger. I struggled to keep it together reading the last few pages !