Harry Potter

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When do they get scary? DS is reading at the moment and has got to book three. I've told him they might get scary at some point and are for older children as the books go on. So far he has brushed me off saying they're not scary at all. He's on book three. Any tips on age appropriateness/do kids self-regulate on this?

Scary is maybe the wrong word. Darker and more emotional? Certainly more complicated.

What age is DS?

7.5, but quite a sensitive type. Seems to be less phased by things in the last 6 months though. Yes, thanks, darker and emotional/could cause distress=scary (!)

I would say around book 4

7yo dd read the first four a couple of years ago and I have held off on the the last three. She's not sensitive really and has no problems with separating fantasy and reality. She brought it up again the other day but I just don't know. I will watch with interest.

Ok. Thanks. I'll see how he goes.

Dd read all the books about 18mths ago aged 8/9. She loves them and re-reads them frequently.

I'd say if he wants to read them let him tho ds, at 7, struggled to read book 4 and gave up, it is written for older kids.

My DSs (now 5 and almost 3) were introduced to HP last summer by my 16YO niece who was helping my mum look after them and decided to put on the Philosopher's son DVD.

They LOVED IT. Especially DS1.

DS1 then pestered me FOR WEEKS to see no2... gave in.... then pestered me to see no 3. Gave in to it too but was v hestitant re werewolf etc, plus it's the hardest to follow (and the worst movie imo).

HE WOULD LOVE to see more, but I refuse. Santa brought them both wands for christmas.

Book 4 has a scene in a grave yard that is harrowing to watch (not as bad to read) and it has the death of an inncoent. I have no qualms that by 7.5 my DS could deal with it though and can't wait until he starts the books. They both love trying to scare me and each other.

In comparison, I have a nephew (2 weeks younger than ds1) who constantly asks if things are scary... He was nervous watching gnomeo and juliet. My 2 are afraid of nothing.

I would let him start reading them and if he gets freaked out mid book (there's a bit with a spider that is tough), tell him to stop?

Depends on your dc as to whether he will cope.

I think 1 and 3 are less scary than 2. Then 4 onwards are more scary again.

Dd1 read up to number 5 or 6 in year 1, however many had been released. She doesn't scare easily in books, and never found them frightening. She did, however find number 7 too bitty to enjoy, she felt it was trying to do too many different stories at once.

Dd2 is 10yo and has steadfastly refused to reas them on the basis they're too scary until about a month ago. She was going on a camp with HP as the theme and thought she better try them. She read the lot in a week, with slight pauses for periods of dramatic mourning for Sirius and Dumbledore
Her favourite book is book 7, particularly the 19 year later bit.

Ds is 6yo (year 2) and tried book one and gave up because he thought it was boring. he prefers high adventure and he found it just too slow moving. He wouldn't have a problem with it being scary.

Thanks all. I think he'll self-regulate, he normally does. He hasn't read that many books for older kids, well not ones designed for older than say 10, as although his reading is that "standard", his maturity/comprehension perhaps is not, so he doesn't engage with books beyond a certain level so will stop/not read them. He's enjoying book 3, then we shall see how much further he wishes to go.