shall i read my 9yr old the boy in the striped pyjamas?

[BBBee]

i like reading him things that both grip us - will this be too much? is on my to read list adn thought i could kill tow birds as it were.

thoughts?

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I've been advised on MN that it might be too much for an 11yr old. Possibly one to read yourself first.

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thank you - this has been very helpful - will read myself first.

i really appreciate this - thanks all.

I wouldn't. I don't tend to censor much at all really, but ds1 (11) hasn't read this one yet and I haven't encouraged him. ds2 (9) is quite sensitive and I certainly wouldn't point him in that direction.

I don't actually like the book - there have been several threads on here.

But I also think children should have quite a lot of background knowledge first before they encounter this particular book.

I know one of our year 6 classes at school are reading this at the moment. Have read it and think 9 is an ok age if you think your DS is emotionally mature enough for the subject matter. There is nothing too overtly shocking in there, more alluded to which one might need to actually point out to a 9yo. You could decide for yourself as you go what you will expand on and what to leave.

(I wasn't aware of discrepancies, although not sure that's what you're worried about.)

I was very unimpressed with it .. I'd wait until he's ready for Ann Frank's diary personally ...

No. I read it to my 11 year old - and it was a bit much for her. I wish I hadn't.

I would defiantly read it yourself first so you can then decide, I agree it might need a bit of background knowledge.

No - I've read it and loved it and I also teach seconday level English.

9 is far too young to appreciate the discombobulation of the young boy. A 9 year old is not going to 'get' his pronunciation of the 'Fury' without a lot of explanation (which will then ruin the flow of the book) They 'do' the Holocaust in Year 9 (when they are 13/14) at school. I would wait until nearer then - 12 is a good age I think - otherwise you are going to have to do some very very very long explanations. Just because a book has a child protaganist/narrator does not mean that it is a children's book. I think it was written for the 12 and up market. You certainly need a level of emotional literacy that I don't think even the most sensitive 9 year old can have. Why not try Adolphus Tips, Good Night Mr Tom, Carrie's War or The Machine Gunners if you want something with WW2 in it.

No..

If nothing else its the most depressing thing I have ever read!

I am pregnant and emotional though!!!

I agree with flyingmum I have read this recently and would not really recommend it for a child as young as nine for a number of reasons.

I think a child would need to have some knowledge of the holocaust and world war two to make sense of some of the more subtle themes and to understand the end which is quite disturbing.

I allowed my 12 year old (in year 8) to read this and she couldn't put it down. I really think 9 is far too young to fully appreciate it in terms of both themes and emotional maturity.

I wouldn't and didn't actually think it was much good either.