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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

30 replies

herewearenowentertainus · 07/03/2017 22:05

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

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?

OP posts:
FryLightQueen · 07/03/2017 22:18

I wouldn't be happy with that 😕

needmymouthsewnup · 07/03/2017 22:20

I don't know the answer, but this caught my attention because my 7 year old happened to bring home one of those books from school today! Thanks for the heads up, I will go and peruse it now....

EineKleine · 07/03/2017 22:33

School reading book as in set by the teacher? I haven't read them but my impression is that they are squarely aimed at girls and group reads tend to be more gender neutral.

My DD read them at 9 and she felt they were a bit old for her. I think she said they were a bit "giggly over boys". But she did keep reading them.

arethereanyleftatall · 07/03/2017 22:44

At dds school, as soon as they are free readers, so around 6-7, they get to choose whichever books they want from the library to bring home. So, there's much less control than when they are on eg yellow books.
I wouldn't be wild about my 6 or even 8 year old reading that exctract. They like the diary of a wimpy kid ones which seem fine.

Original poster
herewearenowentertainus · 07/03/2017 22:51

Thanks mums. Yes dd chooses books from school library now she's in juniours. Just a bit disappointed that these are on offer as we'd never have wanted her to read this kind of, imo, American trash but she loves it and now we'll be the bad guys if we ban it.

emailed headteacher he said they've been approved by school library service and are very popular.

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 07/03/2017 23:15

I would say fostering a lifetime love of reading through finding a series of books you really devour, is more important than worrying about the fruity language.

PuddleJumper01 · 07/03/2017 23:23

You'd better provide decent alternatives then, OP.... Up the ante and distract your child with something better. There's enough good stuff around

EineKleine · 07/03/2017 23:32

I was warned off certain Jacqueline Wilsons at this age too, and now my Y5 is reading The Bookthief, from the Y5+ section of the school library, and it looks like a completely grownup book to me. it's amazing how quickly they grow up.

The word was completely bleeped out - if you'd asked my DD what the word should have been, she'd prob have said "blinking" or something. I am not arguing they are a great choice for a 7 year old but she will only understand what she can make sense of based on her own experience, and in the grand scheme of things having free reign in the library is a wonderful thing.

Janet80 · 07/03/2017 23:35

My daughter (8) loves them, had the box set for Christmas. It's who she chose to be in world book day. They are just like the girlie version to Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

SilverdaleGlen · 07/03/2017 23:37

Eek DD aged 7 has that perhaps I should have vetted as I don't like it.

cansu · 08/03/2017 00:08

How will reading this damage your child? I really find this obsession with vetting and screening out anything vaguely reminiscent of real life from our children is ridiculous. This isnt porn fgs.

Dixiestamp · 08/03/2017 00:11

I have a 7 year old and I don't think I'd be that bothered by it.

TheUnicorns · 08/03/2017 00:12

Agree with cansu. What is the problem with that extract? A fully blanked out word which could be anything? Don't get it.

SilverdaleGlen · 08/03/2017 00:31

It's not the word I don't like (I have a terrible mouth on me) it's the trashy fake US writing!

DD seems to have developed an obsession with boys and kissing (talking about) and I'm now wondering if it stems from reading. Or if it's a 7yo at school thing.

PerspicaciaTick · 08/03/2017 00:37

The ability to find joy in reading is a fragile thing. Smother it at your peril. Rather than worrying about the things she shouldn't read, concentrate on supplying her with a wide range of books which will all (in their different ways) sustain and build her joy.

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 08/03/2017 07:33

Wow ? Can't even envisage what that would bother you . They get this language at school anyhow you know !

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 08/03/2017 07:34

That said my DS loves wimpy kid and his writing has got a bit slang like - so make sure they read a mix

halcyondays · 08/03/2017 11:45

I'm not sure what the problem is really. My 2 dds are 10 and 8 and they both asked for a set of them for Xmas

brasty · 08/03/2017 11:48

I found as a kid many parents wanted their kids to read worthy books. It is far more important than kids learn to love reading. So what if she loves to learn to read trashy US books? If it fosters a love of reading, that is what matters.

MrsDoylesladder · 08/03/2017 11:52

I'm a dreadful pearl clutching old prude and I am happy for dd to read this. I'm happy that she is in the habit of curling up with a book. Sometimes you read enjoyable fluff; sometimes you challenge yourself a bit. Really think that Dork Diaries is a price worth paying.

Whyamihere · 08/03/2017 12:06

When it comes to films etc I follow the age recommendations (within reason), however having a child who is mildly dyslexic and who found reading very difficult originally I loved any book that held her attention including Dork Diaries (which she loved), through letting her read what she found interesting her reading improved until now at 12 her reading is at the right age level and she reads all types of books. I think it is much more important fostering a love of reading than making sure they read 'enriching' books.

AlmaMartyr · 08/03/2017 12:35

It isn't my kind of thing but the books are very popular. I think it is important for children to read what they want to and it doesn't strike me as particularly inappropriate. If you're concerned then maybe try and provide an alternative (but don't push it!).

Original poster
herewearenowentertainus · 08/03/2017 21:46

Thanks everyone, useful to hear your thoughts Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
herewearenowentertainus · 08/03/2017 21:48

Thanks everyone, useful to hear your thoughts Smile

OP posts:
glitterazi · 08/03/2017 21:56

OK, am I actually missing something here?! Is your problem with the bleeped out word?
Was it asterisked out like you posted or was it an actual swear word?

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