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Original poster

Is Stephen King's Firestarter suitable for my 13yo DD?

41 replies

Fionajaneblushes · 21/05/2015 19:45

Hi,
DD wants to read a Stephen King novel, but I don't want her to read sex scenes or anything too disturbing. I remember reading Firestarter fairly young, and googling around, that seems to be the most suitable. Can anyone confirm that there's no real nasties in this book and if it would be suitable for a 13 year old?

OP posts:
CoteDAzur · 21/05/2015 22:14

I read most SK books that were in print several decades ago as a teenager. Firestarter is fine. The Stand would be good, too.

velouria · 21/05/2015 22:14

How about one of the short story collections? Or I'd agree on tom Gordon, read that in one sitting, amazing, not scary though if that is what she is after.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/05/2015 22:13

Cujo is super-sad, but no sex and the blood and guts count is low. :)

I think 'Firestarter' might have been my first, tbh, at 12 or 13.

velouria · 21/05/2015 22:11

Cujo is heartbreaking, I was a big Stephen king fan at her age, I think I read most of them from around 12-14. Pet semetary and It were the first I read........in at the deep end eek.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/05/2015 22:08

Of course!

Cujo?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/05/2015 22:06

I think the Gone series would be fine. There's sex in it later on, but pretty subtle.

Patrick Ness' Chaos Walking trilogy?

Original poster
Fionajaneblushes · 21/05/2015 22:06

I think she wants to be freaked out! I've just offered her the Higson and Grant options and she declared them 'boring and not scary enough'. The thing is, Remus, she doesn't read much of anything at all and I want her to get excited about books, so the fact she actually came to me with a request makes me determined to find her something.

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 21/05/2015 22:01

Definitely don't give her It!

The Gone series is a bit gory but it doesn't linger over it in the way King does, and the characters are all teenagers so the themes aren't as adult.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/05/2015 21:59

'The Long Walk' is just devastating.

What is she used to reading already, OP? I'm all in favour of letting kids read pretty much what they want to read, especially once they hit 13 or so, but I wouldn't want her to be put off one of my v favourite writers by starting with one that might freak her out!

velouria · 21/05/2015 21:55

The long walk was one I liked at that age, although he does get a hard on at some point lol. Give her the stand, don't recall too much sex in that, might put her off though Grin

Original poster
Fionajaneblushes · 21/05/2015 21:48

Remus, she's just turned 13. I'll check out your suggestions, thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fionajaneblushes · 21/05/2015 21:47

Thanks, noble. Well, she's heard of Stephen King and I think she just wants to read something a bit grown up and really scary! I'll have a look at the Gone series.

I can't remember exactly how old I was when I read Firestarter but I think it was maybe 14/15? I used to love Stephen King - it might be time to dust down Salem's Lot!

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/05/2015 21:45

Is she just 13, or on the way to 14?

Agree that, 'Tom Gordon' might be a better start.

The Grant series is good, but it's as gruesome as King in places tbh. Charlie Higson's zombie books might appeal too.

If she has read, 'Of Mice and Men' King's, 'Blaze' might be worth a look.

noblegiraffe · 21/05/2015 21:28

Oh it's pretty horrible when they describe the scenes of people in the drugs trial gouging their eyes out and so on.

Why does she want to read Stephen King specifically? If she wants YA horror, Michael Grant's Gone series is very good.

Original poster
Fionajaneblushes · 21/05/2015 21:25

Thank you, I'll have a look at that one.

OP posts:
NannyR · 21/05/2015 20:43

I've not read Fire starter, but I recently re-read The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon and that would probably be suitable for a younger reader.