Stephen King suitable for a 12 year old

[Chaosofcalm]

My niece has read a couple of Stephen King’s story stories at school and she would like some more Stephen King books for her birthday. Which ones would be suitable?

Carrie is a good one for younger people.

I think Carrie has a few sexual references that make it a bit unauitable for a 12 yr old.

I don't think salems lot or misery is that bad though.

Christine
The Stand
Needful Things
The Girl who loved Tom Gordon
Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption
Dolores Claiborne

Can't remember in detail but these might be ok.

Not Gerald's a Game.

I can't think of any I would give to a 12 year old. I started reading them when I was about 14. The long walk and the body from the bachman books short story collection are good for teens but the others in that collection are definitely not!

Definately not Delores Claiborne iirc the dd is sexually abused by her dad isn't she?

Not suitable for 12.

11.22.63? Seem to recall it's a great story about time travel to JFK assassination.

Def not Gerald's Game!

The girl who loved Tom Gordon is a good one to start with m.

11.22.63 I would think would be suitable.

Perhaps "The Dome"?
I have a soft spot for "Rose Madder", and loved 11.22.63.

Carrie has sex, rape references etc, I wouldn't personally choose it.

Dolores Claiborne has child abuse as Giles says.

Yes, most of SK’s books are suitable from 12-13. They are scary yes, they have sexual themes yes, but nothing more so than Shakespeare etc which they are expected to study from that age anyway.

My 12 year old has been pestering me to read IT. He gave up after about 3 chapters, Steven King waffles a bit too much for him.

Thanks everyone. She asked for Macbeth for Christmas and it is quite a mature 12 year old.

I read a lot of them at that age but with my own kids would probably try and push it into teens. Some of it is pretty graphic/sexualised and not really a lot like MacBeth...

I would at least read a couple first and see what you think so you know what she’s reading. The JFK one is good but around 700 pages.

I wouldnt recommend any of them to a 12 year old. Some of the short stories are OK.

Not the gore, although some of them are horrific, but the sex. IT has that weird bit when all the 12 year olds have sex with each other.

Lol @ macbeth.

Its not the same.

Eyes of the dragon is aimed at young teens.

The Eyes of the Dragon.

X post Angel!

It's totally different to any of his others. In the introduction he says that his own then teenage daughter hated his books, but loved this one.

I read IT when I was 13 and it scared the crap out of me, I kept reading though! I overthought stuff though, so whilst I was drawn to reading scary things I also suffered a lot with reliving it and sleeping badly. Also Stephen King’s books are frightening beyond the monsters, they are quite dark and themes such as domestic abuse, sexual abuse, racial abuse etc are common. It depends on the child, but they are supposed to unsettle and unnerve and a child might not be able to handle that in the name of entertainment like an older teen/adult would.

Yes buglife

Joyland. Against a PP here - I wouldn't recommend Shawshank Redemption. It comes with three other stories and I've just had to abandon the second one as two upsetting. Very rare I do that. Shawshank itself is fantastic if you can get it alone.

Duma Key is creepy but good. Carrie, although see PP's reservations. And the JFK one is excellent although it does include domestic violence and weird sexual hangups.

Sorry, I meant Joyland is a good call.