Breaking Dawn Spoilers Thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RLccweems]

I just finished right now. I know! It took me a whole week to read. Darn work! There were definitely parts that I liked, but then there were parts that I didn't. There was a time that I thought that Jacob was going to die. I'm glad that didn't happen! The whole pregnancy was pretty gruesome and I thought to myself that Stephanie Meyer must have a pretty vivid imagination to think this stuff up!

I liked being wrapped up in a series like this. I'm sad to see the books end, but am looking forward to the movie! Twilight was by far my favorite book in the series.

I know...I'm so sad to that the series is done....now what do I read?

 

[NMAmy]

I know...I'm so sad to that the series is done....now what do I read?

If you're looking for more vampire books, I recommend Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire/Sookie Stackhouse books. They're great! In fact, HBO is making a series called Trueblood based on this series of books.

Also, Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire and The Vampire Lestat are very good.

Sorry if I got carried away and that was just a rhetorical question. I've got a zillion more books I can recommend, if you'd like.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

really?? where did you see this? on another board??

I know that when I read the previous book , I was botherd by Bella being so "weak"... it started to become like the old perils of pauline with the woman always needing to be rescued...
it particularly bothered me since the book was sold to a teen / pre teen audience....



I enjoyed Breaking dawn.... the only thing I realy did not like was the name renessmee.....

Yes, on a few other sites - some fans really let their obession take over and that can get alittle scary.

 

[akhenaten]

Yes, on a few other sites - some fans really let their obession take over and that can get alittle scary.

so they want their husbands to be an ice cold vampire????

Okay......

I guess I would prefer the warm wolf.... hahahahaha

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

so they want their husbands to be an ice cold vampire????

Okay......

I guess I would prefer the warm wolf.... hahahahaha

 

[mla1977]

I realized that DBF is more like a wolf. My guy is nautally warm (great when I'm freezing in the winter)

 

[jamimb]

I do understand losing a love. My ex had an affair after 13 years of marriage. I was devastated but I had a daughter to take care of. I had to be strong for her the same way you'd have to be strong for your girls if something, heaven forbid, happened to your husband. Mooning around wasn't an option--kids still need to have meals, help with spelling words, and a mom to provide for them financially and emotionally.

Another example--my father died after over 40 years of marriage to my mother. He died a very painful death and it was obvious he didn't want to go because he was worried about my mother. She told him that he didn't have to try to stay for her because she would be fine. And, yes, she was heartbroken and she misses him all the time. But she's fine. She has friends and goes on trips and has gone on with life. She loved him more than anything but she didn't just give up because he was gone.

Think about your own girls--would you prefer that when they fall in love at the age of 16 that they just give up on life when they break up with a boy or that they know they're strong enough to go on? While I've always let my dd read whatever she wants, I prefer that she knows my views on a character like Bella instead of romanticizing her behavior and thinking that that behavior is something to emulate because she must not have truly loved someone if she doesn't go into a swooning decline at the end of a relationship.

I apologize to all of those who seem to be offended with my views. I did enjoy the stories. I read lots of books with characters I don't care for--it doesn't mean I didn't like the story itself or the author. YMMV.

You have not offended me at all and I am sorry if it came across that way. I know that everyone is different. I think maybe I tend to take these conversations a little too personal. I met my DH at 14 we broke up at 16(for about 8 months) and we were hitched by 17(no I was not preggo!!) He was and still is my soulmate and the love of my life and when we broke up when I was 16 I reacted just as Bella did! The difference was I acted the same on the outside but inside I felt just like Bella. I know that I would not act that way now but I do believe it is natural to act that way at 16 or 17 when your really in love. When I read New Moon I totally got where she was coming from is all and maybe when people down her for her reaction I sometimes take it personal. I understand where you are coming from also. I consider myself a girlie girl and even though I can take care of myself I totally eat up that dasmel in distress bit. It makes me want to find something dangerous to get into!

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

My DBF is kind of a combination of Jake and Edward. He is a gentleman like Edward, but he has the funny quirky side that Jake has.

 

[jamimb]

My DBF is kind of a combination of Jake and Edward. He is a gentleman like Edward, but he has the funny quirky side that Jake has.

My DH is so Edward. Especially when reading Eclipse I kept imagining Edwards words coming out of DH's mouth. I finally had to say "stop that" and get back to fantasizing(spelling) about Edward. Since reading the four books my DH will do or say something and I think "that was so Edward".

 

[GoofyDoo]

Just found this thread!! I finished Breaking Dawn over the weekend. I didn't attend a midnight party because I was at DISNEY WORLD!! I am a middle school librarian, and I have to say I am in a dilemma. We have sixth, seventh, and eighth graders on our campus, and our community is fairly conservative. I foresee parent problems if I choose to put this book on the shelf. I do agree that it was tastefully done, and I appreciate the fact that sex only occurred after marriage. However, my question to myself when choosing books is "Will this book make already-hormonal teens want to have sex even more than they did before?". I feel fairly certain about the answer here, no matter the lack of graphic description. Yet how can I not put Breaking Dawn in the library considering the HUGE Twilight following in my school? I hate when this happens with a series!! (Example: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, the final book of which I did not put on the shelf.) I, personally, enjoyed BD immensely!!

BTW, if you are hungry for more vampire-ish books, have you heard of Blue Bloods and Masquerade by Maria de la Cruz? They are classified as YA lit, although I consider them inappropriate for middle school. It's some durn good readin', though!!

** Please note that I do not believe in censorship; however, as educators of young adults, we are charged with acting in loco parentis!

 

[akhenaten]

Just found this thread!! I finished Breaking Dawn over the weekend. I didn't attend a midnight party because I was at DISNEY WORLD!! I am a middle school librarian, and I have to say I am in a dilemma. We have sixth, seventh, and eighth graders on our campus, and our community is fairly conservative. I foresee parent problems if I choose to put this book on the shelf. I do agree that it was tastefully done, and I appreciate the fact that sex only occurred after marriage. However, my question to myself when choosing books is "Will this book make already-hormonal teens want to have sex even more than they did before?". I feel fairly certain about the answer here, no matter the lack of graphic description. Yet how can I not put Breaking Dawn in the library considering the HUGE Twilight following in my school? I hate when this happens with a series!! (Example: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, the final book of which I did not put on the shelf.) I, personally, enjoyed BD immensely!!

BTW, if you are hungry for more vampire-ish books, have you heard of Blue Bloods and Masquerade by Maria de la Cruz? They are classified as YA lit, although I consider them inappropriate for middle school. It's some durn good readin', though!!

** Please note that I do not believe in censorship; however, as educators of young adults, we are charged with acting in loco parentis!

theres always the big thick black sharpie!!!

only kidding.......
I think some parents will be upset if you have the book...... of course some parents are disturbed by the Wizard of oz........

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

Just found this thread!! I finished Breaking Dawn over the weekend. I didn't attend a midnight party because I was at DISNEY WORLD!! I am a middle school librarian, and I have to say I am in a dilemma. We have sixth, seventh, and eighth graders on our campus, and our community is fairly conservative. I foresee parent problems if I choose to put this book on the shelf. I do agree that it was tastefully done, and I appreciate the fact that sex only occurred after marriage. However, my question to myself when choosing books is "Will this book make already-hormonal teens want to have sex even more than they did before?". I feel fairly certain about the answer here, no matter the lack of graphic description. Yet how can I not put Breaking Dawn in the library considering the HUGE Twilight following in my school? I hate when this happens with a series!! (Example: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, the final book of which I did not put on the shelf.) I, personally, enjoyed BD immensely!!

BTW, if you are hungry for more vampire-ish books, have you heard of Blue Bloods and Masquerade by Maria de la Cruz? They are classified as YA lit, although I consider them inappropriate for middle school. It's some durn good readin', though!!

** Please note that I do not believe in censorship; however, as educators of young adults, we are charged with acting in loco parentis!

Actually as a parent I would probably be upset if this was not offered in some way. I think youth need to be offered books of thier interest to read. The sex in this book was only implied it was not descriptive at all and as you said it did occur after marriage.

I recently chaired a book fair at my dds school and my co-chair wanted to censor what books we put out. She was very much against these books, the harry potter books, among many others. I fought long and hard with her to ensure that all books provided were set on display!

I would be more concerned about Edwards lack of respect for Charlies rules (ie spending the night in Bellas room) then I would be about the almost non existent sex scenes.

 

[NMAmy]

Just found this thread!! I finished Breaking Dawn over the weekend. I didn't attend a midnight party because I was at DISNEY WORLD!! I am a middle school librarian, and I have to say I am in a dilemma. We have sixth, seventh, and eighth graders on our campus, and our community is fairly conservative. I foresee parent problems if I choose to put this book on the shelf. I do agree that it was tastefully done, and I appreciate the fact that sex only occurred after marriage. However, my question to myself when choosing books is "Will this book make already-hormonal teens want to have sex even more than they did before?". I feel fairly certain about the answer here, no matter the lack of graphic description. Yet how can I not put Breaking Dawn in the library considering the HUGE Twilight following in my school? I hate when this happens with a series!! (Example: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, the final book of which I did not put on the shelf.) I, personally, enjoyed BD immensely!!

BTW, if you are hungry for more vampire-ish books, have you heard of Blue Bloods and Masquerade by Maria de la Cruz? They are classified as YA lit, although I consider them inappropriate for middle school. It's some durn good readin', though!!

** Please note that I do not believe in censorship; however, as educators of young adults, we are charged with acting in loco parentis!

Really? I had no idea that school librarians made these kinds of decisions. It sure does seem like censorship. Could the books be available but the kids would need parental permission to check them out? Then instead of a librarian making the decision, it could be the parents themselves. I'd hate to see kids wanting to read a book but not being able to check it out nor would I want a librarian deciding that she didn't think my kid should read a certain book.

FTR, I've never forbidden a book to my dd and I don't really understand those who do. If I thought there was something worth discussing, I read it before she did. She got most of her books from our local library, though, not the school library so that may be the difference.

I just keep thinking of the Banned Books Week shirts I have with all the off the wall banned books listed (like...Where's Waldo and The Diary of Ann Frank). I'm guessing schools like the one where you work are the folks that are doing the banning. I understand that your job must be difficult trying to keep parents off your back while making sure the kids have reading material.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

Really? I had no idea that school librarians made these kinds of decisions. It sure does seem like censorship. Could the books be available but the kids would need parental permission to check them out? Then instead of a librarian making the decision, it could be the parents themselves. I'd hate to see kids wanting to read a book but not being able to check it out nor would I want a librarian deciding that she didn't think my kid should read a certain book.

FTR, I've never forbidden a book to my dd and I don't really understand those who do. If I thought there was something worth discussing, I read it before she did. She got most of her books from our local library, though, not the school library so that may be the difference.

I just keep thinking of the Banned Books Week shirts I have with all the off the wall banned books listed (like...Where's Waldo and The Diary of Ann Frank). I'm guessing schools like the one where you work are the folks that are doing the banning. I understand that your job must be difficult trying to keep parents off your back while making sure the kids have reading material.

I agree. I think that parents have the responsibility not the school!

 

[RUDisney]

I like NMAmy's suggestion about allowing BD to be withdrawn with parental permission, though you know what the crazy ones will do.... you know the ones... the ones who haven't picked up a book since they were forced to read Red Badge of Courage in HS... (sorry, I'm off my soapbox.) But, the crazy one's will worry that their children will be able to spy over their parentally allowed shoulders to read "the good parts." GoofyDoo is in a hard position, but I'd rather that my kids have the books that they want instead of just what is forced on them to read. Some of the forced reading is good, but some, I remember was just awful.

GoofyDoo, what would happen if a student donated BD to the school? Would you not be required to put that in your stacks? Our district encourages students to donate books to the libraries. It's called the Birthday Book Club. For your birthday, you donate a book to the library and your name is printed in the front of the book to show that you donated it. In the elementary center, the student donors are published in our monthly newsletter. Would you keep those books off the shelves?

 

[jamimb]

For the record I have a middle schooler (DD in 7th grade) And I have not even allowed her to read Twilight because I think some of the themes a bit mature for her. Breaking Dawn is a whole other animal . I would be appalled to find out she had gotten it from her school library and read it. IMO that book should only be read by at least someone in high school. I am not saying thats to be everyone's opinion I'm just saying it may be best to err on the side of caution.

 

[GoofyDoo]

theres always the big thick black sharpie!!!

only kidding.......
I think some parents will be upset if you have the book...... of course some parents are disturbed by the Wizard of oz........

True! And I don't let it stop me from selecting a book just because they disagree. If that were the case, our collection would be a fraction of what it is.

Actually as a parent I would probably be upset if this was not offered in some way. I think youth need to be offered books of thier interest to read. The sex in this book was only implied it was not descriptive at all and as you said it did occur after marriage.

I recently chaired a book fair at my dds school and my co-chair wanted to censor what books we put out. She was very much against these books, the harry potter books, among many others. I fought long and hard with her to ensure that all books provided were set on display!

I would be more concerned about Edwards lack of respect for Charlies rules (ie spending the night in Bellas room) then I would be about the almost non existent sex scenes.

Sounds like you needed a new co-chair. Where was the librarian? He/she should have been deciding what and what not to put out! I'm glad you stood your ground. Good point about the rule thing.

Really? I had no idea that school librarians made these kinds of decisions. It sure does seem like censorship. Could the books be available but the kids would need parental permission to check them out? Then instead of a librarian making the decision, it could be the parents themselves. I'd hate to see kids wanting to read a book but not being able to check it out nor would I want a librarian deciding that she didn't think my kid should read a certain book.

FTR, I've never forbidden a book to my dd and I don't really understand those who do. If I thought there was something worth discussing, I read it before she did. She got most of her books from our local library, though, not the school library so that may be the difference.

I just keep thinking of the Banned Books Week shirts I have with all the off the wall banned books listed (like...Where's Waldo and The Diary of Ann Frank). I'm guessing schools like the one where you work are the folks that are doing the banning. I understand that your job must be difficult trying to keep parents off your back while making sure the kids have reading material.

School librarians make these decisions every day. I know some librarians who would take a Sharpie and mark out portions of books, but I would never do that because that is censorship. We as librarians have to defend our selection choices constantly. There are many, many banned books that are sitting on my shelf. I don't let sorcery, mild sexual inferences, or even cuss words (unless the frequency and severity is ridiculous) keep me from selecting materials.

As a parent, however, I have to say that there are books and music that I will always attempt to keep my children from. I will not condone their reading of smut, for example. As long as they live in my house and I know about it, I won't let them read trashy sex novels right under my nose. Some music available to them these days would frizz your hair out, and I will not purchase it for them, nor will I allow them to purchase it themselves (with money I probably gave them). I am realistic, though, and I do realize that they will do things I'll remain oblivious to. I am not naive.

As a librarian, it can be a huge gray area. I believe in open access, but sometimes that access needs to occur at a higher level (high school) or at the public library. It is a really difficult thing sometimes. I actually do normally put it off on the parent. I've never had a formal book challenge. Usually if a parent has a problem with the book, I ask them to make sure their child understands what their parent has prohibited them from reading so that it becomes that child's responsibility not to choose that type of book. It isn't right for the parent of one child to decide that the rest of the student body has access to, nor is it right for a librarian to limit students' access to what they want to read. However, I am charged with selecting age-appropriate materials for my campus. Hence, the gray area.

I like NMAmy's suggestion about allowing BD to be withdrawn with parental permission, though you know what the crazy ones will do.... you know the ones... the ones who haven't picked up a book since they were forced to read Red Badge of Courage in HS... (sorry, I'm off my soapbox.) But, the crazy one's will worry that their children will be able to spy over their parentally allowed shoulders to read "the good parts." GoofyDoo is in a hard position, but I'd rather that my kids have the books that they want instead of just what is forced on them to read. Some of the forced reading is good, but some, I remember was just awful.

GoofyDoo, what would happen if a student donated BD to the school? Would you not be required to put that in your stacks? Our district encourages students to donate books to the libraries. It's called the Birthday Book Club. For your birthday, you donate a book to the library and your name is printed in the front of the book to show that you donated it. In the elementary center, the student donors are published in our monthly newsletter. Would you keep those books off the shelves?

I've absolutely heard of the birthday book club! It's great!! But ultimately librarians still have the right to refuse any book. Most libraries have a "gifts policy" that explains that the librarian makes all decisions about what is put on the shelf. Most who donate wouldn't try to give us a controversial book; on the other hand, if there were no gifts policy in place, think of the loads of crappy books we would receive! We have to draw lines.

For the record I have a middle schooler (DD in 7th grade) And I have not even allowed her to read Twilight because I think some of the themes a bit mature for her. Breaking Dawn is a whole other animal . I would be appalled to find out she had gotten it from her school library and read it. IMO that book should only be read by at least someone in high school. I am not saying thats to be everyone's opinion I'm just saying it may be best to err on the side of caution.

Thank you for your opinion. I do realize that many feel this way, and this is why my job can be so difficult since there are many parents who would allow their child to read BD. You might want to make sure and warn your daughter against these books because they could very well be appearing in her school library. With most kids, it's a sure way to pique their interest, however.

Thank you all for your responses. After talking myself through this, I've decided to go ahead and purchase Breaking Dawn for my library. The fact that the sex is merely inferred (although very highly inferred in this case), combined with the fact that Edward and Bella are married, weighs heavily in my decision. I've also been thinking about the sexual tension that has been present all along in the previous three books, yet I never considered not putting the first three on the shelf. There hasn't been an issue so far, so we'll just see if the luck continues!

 

[RUDisney]

GoofyDoo, thank you for taking the time to respond to each of our individual questions/concerns. You sound like your head is screwed on right and that you don't make decisions lightly. That's all we can really ask/expect from anyone.