DD15 still reading dork diaries

[philomenacunky]

My dd turned 15 in feb. Shes a perfectly normal 15 year old and doesn't enjoy childish things. The other day though I saw her reading a Dork diaries book, is this normal for her age? If you're not aware these are books aimed at much younger children. I know she is capable of reading much more mature books than this, she reads things like Of Mice and Men, Macbeth, Christmas carol etc for school.

I haven't told her off for this I'm just very confused, why is she reading these books at her age? Aibu for thinking it's weird?

I think sometimes teens hanker for that young child innocence and ease and access that in various ways. I went through a period in my teens (maybe 14-16?) where I’d watch a kids tv show in bed before I go up every day (similar to what’s on CBeebies!). I just found it really relaxing to watch and my parents never knew. If she’s otherwise normal I wouldn’t worry about it.

christ i was in my 30s when i reread childhood books like mallory towers

Not weird at all - just comfort reading

Are you joking? I can’t tell

“I haven’t told her off for this”

…

I read the whole of the chalet school series from start to finish the Christmas before last. I'm considerably older than 15.
She's reading. That's a very good thing.

You haven't told her off??? Why do you think that's worthy of a pat on the back?!

I'm mid 40s and still enjoy some children's books. What's your problem?

I mean school books can often be very dreary even if she is capable of reading them.

While Dork Diaries is immature, it can be entertaining for comfort reading and really reading should be for fun so I'd say let her be. I still pick up an Enid Blyton book every now and then!

As a guide these books are advertised as suitable for age 9-13.
She's literally reading books that are fine for her age if a little easy in terms of comprehension.
It's not like she's reading lift the flap books and spot the dog.

I read Ballet Shoes about a million times to switch off during A Levels.

Of course you don’t tell her off for it!

I can't say I've ever cared what my kids read. I'm just happy they read. As someone who often rereads my favourite childhood books I don't think it matters.

Also just to add my 14 year old DD sometimes picks up her old childhood books like Percy Jackson, Dork Diaries all of them and has the best time and she's the same as your daughter, very high reading level and studies the same books at school. It doesn't worry me at all as she is more invested in her usual YA books but reading the old childhood ones is comforting.

Exorcism may be the only way to go now.

At least she,s reading I can barely get my 16year old to read anything ,a s a teenager I was reading Lace, and all.sorts of other inappropriate stuff which I'm sure w as worse

I’m 37 and spent my last holiday reading Malory Towers, Trebizon and St Clare’s. There’s nothing wrong with an easy, comfort read.

At 15 I loved reading Sweet Valley, Babysitter's Club, Judy Blume etc. They were my relaxation books.
You knew the characters and the formula of the story. I could read and enjoy them - and didn't have to over think or figure out the deep meanings (like you have to with books you study at school).

In a world where many adults are obsessed with Harry Potter, I can’t see why you think this is a problem.

It’s nice to re read childhood favourites. It’s a non issue.

Isn't the main character in those books 15 years?

I read YA books right into adulthood. I reread Enid Blyton, Sweet Valley etc as an adult.

I don't think it really matters, if you enjoy and want an easy read that's ok (I'm a lawyer so have plenty of time to read 'serious' complex stuff as well..)

Yeah comfort reading.

I am 50 and recently re-read a whole bunch of childhood faves- The Railway children; The Fanous Five; Jinny at Finmory; The Secret garden- all books I read and re-read throught my teen years and beyond.

FWIW I have an undergraduate degree in English literature and am a solicitor. Just sometimes i want something nostalgic.

Everyone re-reads their favourite books. I can’t get over the statement of telling off a teenager for their reading choice. This is beyond controlling and it’s frankly absolutely none of your business what they take comfort in reading.

Eh?

I’m 40 and I’ve just re-read all my old goosebump books!

nostalgia reading

It's perfectly normal. I used to sometimes read books aimed at younger children when I was a teenager, in between books by the Brontes and the Lord of the Rings. They were comforting and a break from the harder stuff.

Please don't ever tell a child off for reading books. It's mad you even considered it an option. 😮

I still read childrens books sometimes. A well written book is a well written book regardless of the age its written for

If she's reading of mice and men and dickens etc for school there's no wonder she wants a little lighter reading for pleasure

You thinking it's wierd and something that potentially she should be told off for is far more harmful if she finds out that her reading a book a little young for her.

Rereading a comfort book or watching a TV series is perfectly normal.

I'm just as excited about the new series of Malory Towers tonight as my 10 and 11yos.

I think I re-read The Faraway Tree series at that age. It's fine. Also read Harry Potter in my teens along with my mum who was in her forties.