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Original poster

Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials Trillogy, suitable for a class of 7/8 year olds???

56 replies

MrsSpoon · 21/08/2007 18:57

DS1 has come back from his first day back at School bursting with excitement about these books, apparently the teacher has started reading the first to them today. He has asked me to buy them. I have done a little research and I am a little alarmed. We have bought a copy of the first book from e-Bay to try and speed read it ourselves, are the books really suitable for this age group? If nothing else the plot sounds very complicated (or as far as write ups on Wilkepedia etc go) and it seems to be dealing with some very big issues (or is this on a level with Aslan being Jesus etc, ie would go straight above most readers' heads?).

FWIW he's got the Narnia books sitting waiting to be read but feels they are too difficult.

OP posts:
BecauseImWorthIt · 21/08/2007 19:12

They're fantastic books, but I would say definitely too old for 7/8 year olds. The issues as well as the vocabulary and grammatical structures makes them teen/young adult reading.

Marina · 21/08/2007 19:11

No, I'm sorry, we are quite happy to disregard some age recommendations for ds (a very good reader) but he's eight and I think they are way too young for this trilogy.
There are some scenes in all three of the books that are completely unsuitable for pre-teens.
It's magnificent writing but there is plenty of other engaging and thought-provoking material out there for younger age groups. Pullman should be saved until later.
If you have to speak to the teacher before you've finished the speed-reading, ask him how he proposes to present the story of Tony and his daemon, and Lyra and Will's relationship in the third book.

OrmIrian · 21/08/2007 19:08

I don't know. I would say it was too old and a bit disturbing. I tried them on my 10yr old recently but he struggled. I think 7/8 yr olds would probably be a bit bored by it before it gets too frightening though. Odd choice. I would say Narnia was by far the better choice for that age.

dustystar · 21/08/2007 19:06

I would say that they are a bit sophisticated for this age group although I'm pretty sure i would have loved them at that age.

Original poster
MrsSpoon · 21/08/2007 19:06

Oh that's what I meant to say Amazon etc all say "young adult".

I think you are right about talking to the teacher, I'm just groaning about kicking up a fuss when they are only just back. [sigh]

OP posts:
PandaG · 21/08/2007 19:00

I would say it is teenage fiction - but maybe the teacher has a real flair for picking out the themes to interest younger children?

I would talk to the teacher myself