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Original poster

Heart stopper

45 replies

AriettyHomily · 27/09/2022 19:41

Y7 Dts have come home with it from school today. I think it's entirely inappropriate - not the subject matter but the swearing, the cartoon style, it's not exactly English literature they have just turned 11.

The tv show is 14+

I don't want to be that one but it doesn't sit right at this age.

Any one any experience?

OP posts:
MagicMatilda · 27/09/2022 20:29

I love the books but I’d suggest it was more appropriate for 12 years upwards.

lailamaria · 27/09/2022 20:29

they're such good books, is it the trans woman does she scare you or something, plus i very much guarantee your child has probably said worse at school, everyone likes heartstopper unless you're homophobic or a nun

surreygirl1987 · 27/09/2022 20:32

Hmmm. I'm an English teacher and I try to avoid recommending books to Years 7 and 8 with lots of swearing in, especially Year 7. Heartstopper is on our Year 9 recommended reading list.

catandcoffee · 27/09/2022 20:33

For us oldies who are long past this stage.
What exactly are you talking about a book ?
and yes I could Google it but thought I'd ask. 😊

Zaccat1 · 27/09/2022 20:36

We recommend for Upper KS3 if not KS4. Another teacher here.

Original poster
AriettyHomily · 27/09/2022 20:37

Curioushorse · 27/09/2022 20:08

They are gorgeous. Delightful books.

....but I might pause in recommending them to a Year 7, unless I felt they were emotionally mature. They are still a bit primary school at this stage of the year.

Year 8 up, definitely.

I'm an English teacher, btw.

Thank you. Sense.

And no I'm not bloody homophobic. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I'll bow out now.

OP posts:
Original poster
AriettyHomily · 27/09/2022 20:38

lailamaria · 27/09/2022 20:29

they're such good books, is it the trans woman does she scare you or something, plus i very much guarantee your child has probably said worse at school, everyone likes heartstopper unless you're homophobic or a nun

I haven't read it, couldn't give a monkeys if there's a trans woman in there. Don't get your knickers in a twist.

OP posts:
Original poster
AriettyHomily · 27/09/2022 20:39

Last one - to clarify, they have just turned 11.

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 27/09/2022 20:39

I only read the first book but I don't remember much swearing. I remember it as being fairly tame. The illustration style is quite 'basic' so it is telling the story not in any explicit way.
I would say it's ok for secondary age.

OneFrenchEgg · 27/09/2022 20:40

Is it just a reading book or are they studying it? My kids have them as books to read in their own time but I don't know that they are something I'd want them studying in place of something a bit more 'literary'. However, if it avoids another year of bloody Animal Farm I'll reconsider.

Feart · 27/09/2022 20:42

Another teacher here and I can assure you they will hear far worse on the yard at break times!

Jjones8 · 27/09/2022 20:46

I have seen it. My kids are 10 and 8. I would not want them watching it. It’s just not suitable for children of this age. Struggle to understand the rationale for school wanting such young children to watch it.

Cece92 · 27/09/2022 20:48

I wouldn't mind if my 11 year old read this. She's 9 and knows the difference between swear words etc. it's actually a really lovely story and I LOVED the tv series. I actually said that it could be a good one for high schools to show. However when I was at school any films or tv shows shown over our age range we had to have a letter of consent. We watched some pretty brutal stuff in R.E and history xx

orangesunshine · 27/09/2022 20:53

My Year 6 daughter loves both the books and the series! She’s mature for her age (September birthday plus older siblings) - and while I’m the last person who wants to rush kids out of childhood innocence, I honestly think these books are fine. I was reading ‘Forever’ and ‘Flowers in the Attic’ at 11 - much worse!

FallSky · 27/09/2022 21:02

I'm pretty sure the most exciting swear words in the tv adaptation are 'piss off'. I'm sure it was made to be okay for younger watchers and is not a 14+?

that aside I had no issue with my 12yo reading/watching it

FallSky · 27/09/2022 21:04

It is rated 14+, I'm surprised as it didn't strike me as if it would.

due to 'While Heartstopper will appeal to tweens, younger teens, and older audiences, which is what Netflix hopes for it’s clean teen content, that doesn’t mean those shows and movies with always escape PG-13 and TV-14 ratings. Largely, this has to do with thematic elements.Some of them are typical like partying, profanity, coming-of-age discussions about sex, intimacy, etc. In Heartstopper‘s case it’s due to language such as the use of a gay slur as well as bullying, homophobia, and an on-screen assault that’s not graphic but does, of course, affect the characters going forward.'

Original poster
AriettyHomily · 27/09/2022 21:18

I can only send 3 images...

Heart stopper
Heart stopper
Heart stopper
OP posts:
Firecarrier · 27/09/2022 21:24

AriettyHomily · 27/09/2022 21:18

I can only send 3 images...

You won't get a normal representative answer on MN I believe as people are generally clambering over themselves to he 'right on.'

It is hypocritical in the extreme that the same teacher who sent this home would no doubt punish a child who used that language.

Firecarrier · 27/09/2022 21:25

I would complain, you won't be the only unhappy parent, there are plenty of other books out there.

Acrasia · 27/09/2022 21:28

FallSky · 27/09/2022 21:04

It is rated 14+, I'm surprised as it didn't strike me as if it would.

due to 'While Heartstopper will appeal to tweens, younger teens, and older audiences, which is what Netflix hopes for it’s clean teen content, that doesn’t mean those shows and movies with always escape PG-13 and TV-14 ratings. Largely, this has to do with thematic elements.Some of them are typical like partying, profanity, coming-of-age discussions about sex, intimacy, etc. In Heartstopper‘s case it’s due to language such as the use of a gay slur as well as bullying, homophobia, and an on-screen assault that’s not graphic but does, of course, affect the characters going forward.'

That’s the American rating, I think. The BBFC have rated it 12.

www.bbfc.co.uk/release/heartstopper-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmda0mtc0

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