Lord of the Flies

[1805]

Anyone else's dc studied this in Y5?
If so, did they really understand it?

We have had to consent to dc reading this (which I have) because of the language used at times.
Not entirely sure dc will fully grasp the deep messages of the book. If not, could it spoil the book for the dc, or even be a waste of time?
I do think the teacher is good, but wonder if this is a step too far???

Please tell me lots of Y5 study it and it's ok.

Thank you.

My dd did this in year ten, but I wouldn't see a problem giving it to my year six daughter, actually. And am now thinking of doing so!

I read it at secondary. I don't think it suitable for Yr 5.

I'm going to read it over the hols.

Okay to be fair, I did read it by myself at 12 and missed quite how horrific it was. I was totally shocked by how awful it is, and I don't even mean the deep metaphore here, but just the actions, when I studied it at 14/15.
I would possibly allow a primary school child to "free read" it, but would tell them it was fine to give it up if it got too horrific. I would strongly object if a teacher read it to the class (as started to happen with "The boy in the stripped Pjamas"), or if it was read/studied in group reading. In the latter cases you can't get away from it if you find it upsetting, and you have less chance to just skim over bits.

Sorry, I don't think it is suitable either, but I suppose it depends on how influenced your child is, or how sensitive.

I read this book when I was around 13 for the first time and it had a profound effect on me. I can honestly say it was one of the first books I read that actually shocked me. I think it was the bit where the pig gets speared with the stick that shocked me - very graphic and I had no idea even at that age that something like that could happen. Read here for a sample of the text. www.gradesaver.com/lord-of-the-flies/study-guide/section8/

I also remember the bit when Piggy was killed by the gang, very powerful and vivid writing. See what is involved if you can't remember it. www.simandan.com/?p=882

I presume they will be discussing the concepts in it, and therefore looking at some of the issues, which raises even more concerns to me, that they are ready for this.

There is no doubt it is a disturbing and powerful book. Ideal for GCSE and 15 year olds, not so much for 9 year olds!

Amusing timing for me - my year 4 boy is in a snit with me because I won't take him to see the year 7 & 8 performance of Lord of Flies tonight, partly because I think it unsuitable, but also partly because school productions by years other than your child's do seem a step beyond the bounds of duty!

My son is year six. I have deliberately kept him away from LOTF but he is insisting on reading "The Hunger Games" which looks at least as bad. If that doesn't cause problems I think I will let him read LOTF

that is annoying as it is a GCSE text and as others have said, how are us secondary teachers supposed to get them engaged when they see it as a yr 5 text, plus the messages and themes are very disturbing. Amazing book for 15/16 year olds but not for 10 year olds imo

My DS read Lord of the Flies in Year 5, he seemed to understand the story and the deep messages, (but its a good story even if the messages go over your head). He really enjoyed the book and we went to see the play at Regents Park Open Air theatre last summer (towards the end of his year 5). The play was brilliant, quite dark and the audience was all age ranges.

While watching the play I then remembered that I had read it in school a bit dim I know....I was in Year 7 when we read it.

It's a wonderful book but truly upsetting, sad and bleak. My DS in Year 5 would be able to read it and grasp the meaning of it but I would not like him to experience those feelings now. It would break his heart.

There are wonderful clasics to read at this age. What's the hurry.

I also think, to be honest, that it's not suitable for children that young. I just don't want to jump to conclusions about how it would be taught. I read it at 11 and missed a lot of the significance but enjoyed the wildness. The pig hunt and particularly Simon's vision and death are frightening.

From what I've read of the Hunger Games it is nothing like as bad. I don't think 1984 is as bad either.

We did lotf when I was 14 - my
Mum refused to sign the slip to watch the film in class - I was the only one but I slept that night most of my friends didn't ... Having watched the film at 20 something I'm glad I missed it !! I wouldn't want my ds to be reading this till senior school

I also read this book for O level English literature many years ago and still remember it vividly. I would definitely not consider it suitable for primary age children. Both versions of the film are rated as 15's by IMDB and I would agree with this. The book and films are for teenagers not children.

I did LOTF for GCSE, and it is in no way suitable for primary school, or even younger teens. And this is from someone who read HP Lovecraft at age 11.

It is a brilliant book but some scenes are horrific [death of Simon] and most unsuitable for 9/10 year olds.This is year 5 not even year 6.I think year 9 at the earliest-just read the description of the dead airman it is horrible.A brilliant book in its place.I would withdraw permission if I were you.