My Rules For What Your Kids Should Read

Okay here’s the thing, there really is only one rule.

Read It First!

Genre is subjective and lets face it good writing can be not a necessary consideration, as lone as people invest in the story and characters.

Read It First!

Or at least find someone you trust to recommend for you or read it first.

Here’s the thing something’s simply aren’t appropriate reading. Remember the young adult fiction is rated 12/3 to 18 and a lot of the issues dealt with aren’t necessary for children of that age to read.

Now before you jump on me about being naïve, understand that this is my work as well as something I love, I’m not naïve. I’ve had feedback from parents saying they want something that has no relationship and angst issues because the kids reading the books aren’t able to cope yet with the things bought up.

Then of course my biggest point of concern at the moment…Twilight. This series of books isn’t appropriate reading for young readers. Just because your ten year old has friends who read the books doesn’t mean your child should be doing the same.

Do yourself a favour and read them first. If you still think they are fine then go ahead. And if you don’t care what they read then feel free to ignore my opinion.

This isn’t just a Twilight thing there are a lot of books that should be vetoed first.

Thinking about all this got me to considering what I read when I was younger. Truth is I’m not sure there was a YA section back then.

So anyway, here’s what I remember.

Age 8 – Famous Five

Trixie Belden

Age 10/11 - Nancy Drew

The Neverending Story

Age 12 to 15 – Feist fantasy’s

Other fantasy

Agatha Christie

Sweet Valley High

Francine Pascal

Puberty Blues

Sweet Dreams

My First Love and Other Disasters

I was an avid reader and yes I got into some quite explicit books by the time I was 15 but until then…well go back and read them if you can find them, they are quite tame by comparison.

Once again it’s not me trying to be naïve, mostly I just think kids should be allowed to be kids, to learn and grow without being expected to think or feel certain things they may not be ready for.

For goodness sake. Lets allow our kids to be kids and enjoy reading, it can be fun.