Lord of the Flies - what age?

[oneowlgirl]

My DS is 9, quite mature & a great reader - is Lord of the Flies too old for him or what age is it generally suits me for? Thanks.

I read it at 11 in English at secondary school. I wouldn't let a 9 year old read it. Even at 11 I would discuss it with them due to the level of violence.

Not at 9, it's deeply grim.

My son read it at 9 and it tops his favourite book list. Be prepared for lots of questions though.

I read it at around 9 (dad used to raid the stock cupboard at school!) and although I understood it superficially I didn't really understand it if you see what I mean! I was surprised when I returned to it years later that there was a lot of graphic violence I think I just blanked out - like the death of the pig!

Would he enjoy treasure island?

My ten year old read it and animal farm, which he loved. He found lotf a bit too grim.

My 13 year old started it last night.

He's not very mature in his reading choices, so I was quite pleased.

Maybe I'll leave it a year or 2 then as I can't remember what age I read it at & although he's quite mature, he can he upset easily sometimes so maybe not mature enough yet. Thanks all as that's been helpful.

13 at the youngest. I think pushing them towards teenage/young adult content just because they can read the words is such q big mistake.

I was an advanced reader, and I think I read it around 14. I wouldn't let a 9yo read it, tbh.

I agree with trying Treasure Island- the language is quite difficult. Some aspects of it are quite dark, but not anywhere near as bad as LOTF.

Or what about Lord of The Rings?

I was an avid reader as a child and am now an English teacher.

I read it at 14 and it terrified me. At 16 I loved it.

I would not want my 9 year old (also a bookworm) reading about children murdering children. The decomposing airman with the billowing parachute is genuinely frightening. Simon's washed up body? The beast? Come on, this is not a children's book. It's not an adventure story. It's important, but it's dark and horrible.

"I agree with trying Treasure Island- the language is quite difficult. Some aspects of it are quite dark, but not anywhere near as bad as LOTF.

Or what about Lord of The Rings?"

Oh don't be silly- he's 9!

I am parent if a 9yo, I was one, I know what they're capable of!
I read full version of treasure island aged 9. LOTR at 10.

We did it at school in I think year 9, and I thought it a horrible book.
I think it is too dark for a 9yo.
My 10yo Ds read the Hobbit at 10 - I can't see why LOTR wouldn't be OK for a 9yo. He also did Treasure Island in Y6.

Kesukes Kingdom by Michael murmur go is a great 'Island' themed book which would suit a mature 9 year old very well without the themes that are in Lord of the flies.

*kensukes Kingdom even.

I read it at about 9 and loved it, we then did it in school when I was 11 and I loved it even more. I found the image of Simon washing up on the beach incredibly beautiful and romantic.

I think we look at these things through very adult eyes, a child gets a whole different book to the one an adult is reading, it really doesn't matter if they don't get the political complexities, what they would get is the sticking up for your friends no matter the cost and not being a bully.

It's really going to depend on the child in the end. I also read Empire of the Sun at around the same time and the Power of One - I didn't get the deeper messages in those either but loved the books.

Thanks everyone - a said upthread, I'll leave it a couple of years given your feedback. I honestly can't remember what age I read it at, just that it is a great thought-provoking book. Might go for Treasure Island & War Horse, based on comments here. Thanks again