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 haven't yet @BabyofMine , but having actually looked it up, I think I might 😀

She reads Mumsnet. I think the daughter has probably got the more highbrow read 😂

OP, just leave your child alone and let her read. I would be very worried if she was reading Stephen King for example. Oh wait...

My teens really enjoyed Smile and Sisters which are similar to Dork Diaries but aimed at actual teens. Your DD15 might enjoy them? And if she graduates towards graphic novels, introduce her to the Manga section of the library.

When you read do you read at the highest level you are capable of, so philosophy, poetry, economic theory, serious history etc or do you like most of us read thrillers, novels, who done its and psychological thrillers?

Assuming this is real, it is really sad that the OP hasn't realised that reading bands are only for those learning to read.

Once you are a confident and interested reader you can read anything, as highbrow or lowbrow as you like, fiction or non fiction, modern or historical, written for adults or children. It doesn't matter. Nobody is coming to make me go back to Biff and Chip if I choose to read a children's book and nobody is going to give me a gold star and put me up a band if I pick up Madame Bovary instead.

I'm 48, and still read the books I read as a teenager. It's nostalgia and comfort for me at this point. Don't police a person's reading material.

😱what would your mother say?!

Oh for crying out loud, the girl is reading! Comfort reading! There's no nicer way to spend time. You may well think her choices are 'dumb' but reading reinforces what we have previously learnt about spelling and grammar. It's healthy and relaxing.
Bloody hell, it's not as if she's reading Mein Kampf now is it?

I’m in my 50s and I still read YA books. And about ten years ago I reread some of my favorite children books for ages 7 to teens. My DD has never been interested in reading so if she did pick up a book that was targeted for younger than her age I’d jump for joy 😂. I’m sad she doesn’t share my love for reading

I'm 46 and there was this book I loved as a kid called The Westing Game. I still read it once a year.

Wow ! This is an awful attitude to have about your child. If she wants to read what she is reading, let her? Why are you comparing her to her sibling ?

I read books aimed at toddlers every day…granted I have a toddler but some I would read regardless they are so good. I also read novels out aloud to my 8 month old. A book is a book, they all have value.

Poor girl having a mum like you with your views!

Maybe you should start discussing books/reading with your daughter? I can't imagine a situation where my daughter turned up with a book and I had no idea where she got it from. But that's because I take an interest in what she reads, she shows me the books she gets from the library and the shop (or borrows from friends), talks about what her friends are reading, recommends things to me (she's is currently keen for me to read "Good Girls' to Murder", now wondering if that meets OP's reading requirements), ask for recommendations etc. Yesterday we had a conversation about Judy Blume and her role in the young adult book market.
I wouldn't just observe what she was reading and turn my nose up at it.

Well this is clearly wind up and op having great time pissing people off.;)

I'm 30 and just recently reread my fave Jaqueline Wilson book .

Nothing wrong with enjoying books aimed at a different demographic! I know an adult in mid 30s who is very partial to young adult fiction.

Have I got this right? You have a 15 yo dd who likes to read for pleasure, even visits the library or buys herself books from a bookstore, and you are having problems with it because of one particular book she choose to read?

Am I missing something obvious here? Because if my ds went to the library and choose ANY book i'd be flipping ecstatic!

OP, I don't think you need to worry she is dumbing herself down! She's just enjoying some light casual reading! Its completely and totally normal! If she starts picking up spot the dog or peter and jane books, then maybe bring it up with her, but otherwise leave her be to enjoy whatever she enjoys to read.

I don't think you need to be worrying she might be ruining her chances in life by reading a book aimed at children a couple of years younger than her!

I’m getting a few second hand a couple I’ll put away for Christmas.

I'm 52 and have just enjoyed re-reading my Jennings books!

Snap! Currently reading through all of her books.

Me too. Astrid Lindgren's work is prominent on my shelves, and I'm mid-40s.

I loved the Georgia Nicolson books! I've just checked and the last one came out in 2009, so I was 19 and still reading them.

In fact, I took one on holiday as a teenager and my mum (in her 40s at the time) borrowed it. I remember her laughing out loud as she read it by the pool, then she kept reading them when we got home

Oh no, secret library trips, it's worse that you thought. That record of how old she was when she got the books out is on record forever. Make her read Shakespeare until she repents her sins

I read DS the Harry Potter books and His Dark Materials. I read them myself years ago, much preferred HDM.

Reading them out loud though, HP was much better than I remember, HDM not so much. HP also opened up a lot of discussion about writing - foreshadowing, the implications of seeing nearly everything from Harry's point of view, and so on. HDM on the other hand DS was just interested in the Daemons.

(My favourite Childrens/YA series is probably The Old Kingdom books by Garth Nix. And Le Guin's Earthsea books if they count, when I re-read the first one a few years ago it seemed nigh on perfect.)