Lord of the Rings

[TwinkieTwinkle]

Is LOTR suitable for an 8 year old? I have no qualms about his ability to read them, I'm more worried that they might be a bit too old for him. It's been years since I read them!

No, I wouldn't think it would be too old for him.

I first read them aged 7 going on 8, and loved them. The battle scenes are not at all graphic, though going through the Mines of Moria always used to scare me as a kid (strangely unfazed by the giant spider though).

I read them at 10 but finishing was more a matter of honour more than enjoynment. Loved them at 15!! Hobbit would be better, or perhaps Susan Cooper's "The Dark is Rising" series.

My 9 year old is asking to read them & I've said no. Partly because in the first book you get Old Man Willow & that bit in the scary forest then later the barrow wight part as well. My 9 year old would find them frightening.

Plus the themes are too adult, he wouldn't get through the second book as its all just military tactics & he would be bored by them.

At the risk of sounding like a pretentious twat I'd much rather he came to LOTR when he was older & able to understand the book more.

I was approx 7 too, Lurcio. Seven year old me loved Tom Bombadil section best, and the hiding from the dark riders, and the mysterious Huorns. I read every year following and it did not detract from my enjoyment.

Would it set an expectation that he could watch the films sooner than the cert allows for?

Similarly to BlueChampagne, I read them around 10 but had read The Hobbit a bit earlier and enjoyed it. It's a much lighter subject matter.

I don't think that there is anything particularly gratuitous within the books but there is a fair bit of death and implied slaughter when the Orcas are on the rampage. Quite a few key characters also die and obviously Gollum murders his friend over the ring. I guess the point I am making is whether or not you feel he is emotionally mature enough to understand that it is a fantasy book and unlikely to have bad dreams about Sauron for months to come.

He has read The Hobbit, hence his determination to move onto LOTR. He has seen the films and had no problems with them. My main problem was it's been so many years since I read LOTR that I can't remember how scary it might be. I suppose I can let him have a go and if it's too much for him let him leave it a while and go back to it.

They're fine. It's a bit heavy going in places, though. My DS tried when he was 8 and 9 (again because he'd read and loved The Hobbit) and found it boring both times; he's tried again this year at 10 and is motoring through.

Perfect, thanks! I'll see how he goes, if he doesn't enjoy them then I let him wait a bit longer.