8 year old - which Harry Potter books?

[DownRightAmazing]

DS, 8, has just devoured the first two Harry Potter books; he is keen to start the third but DH thinks the dementors will give him nightmares. I'm not sure. He has never read anything 'scary' before. In terms of movies he copes well with mild peril - but certain things upset him. A movie featuring fire gave him nightmares for days. Just wondered what others think?

I don't think 8 is too young for the 3rd Harry Potter but as you say, it can depend on the child - why don't you read the first few chapters together and see how he feels? I think the first dementor shows up on the train doesn't it?

The if he's ok, he could finish the rest on his own?

DD1 read all the ones that had been published in when she was year 2, which I think was up to the 5th one. She was always quite good with scary ones though.
DD2 didn't read them until she was about 10/11yo, but she really doesn't do scary books.

When I read them (as an adult) I found the Chamber of Secrets far more scary than the dementors.

8 year old DD is on the 5th one at the moment. I had your concerns but she begged me to keep going after the third one. I thought the 4th one might scare her but she hasnt been at all frightened and loved it, and the 5th which shes almost finished. I figure that their imaginations only stretch as far as their experiences; when we watched the film of the 1st she did get frightened at the part where Voldemort's face comes out the book as she hadnt imagined it like that from the book. We are not watching any more films because I guess an adults imagination is darker than an 8 year old but with the books, I feel she only let's her images form to match her coping abilities. I'd let him carry on with the books.

I don't think 8 yo is too young, plus the 3rd book isn't that cruel or scary as those that come next.

My 7 year old who can’t even watch finding nemo as it’s too scary for him read the first three no problem, I told him no more as I know they get progressively darker but he pestered that many people about what happens I eventually let him read the rest. He has been fine with both the books and the films.

I have a 10-year-old boy who is obsessed with HP. He read the first two books in a rush, he liked the third book according to him, but he is in no hurry to start the 4th. I bought all 7 books out of joy, not thinking he might be too young to read it. It's all individual to each child, I think. Maybe your daughter will start reading the third book and put it off if she doesn't like something. I wouldn't forbid it but would observe her reactions and discuss with her what she is reading.

Mine was OK with them at that age, despite being a bit of a wimp - used to come home terrified from school having been allowed to watch 'The Little Mermaid' or whatever. Generally, I think 'scary' books are MUCH less likely to cause nightmares than films/TV. Also you are more in control with a book, as you can just put it down.

If in doubt: read it together.