Question about Breaking Dawn

[kristilew]

The fact that bella and edward waited until they were married and were prepared for it not to be great are both good things to teach her - real love waits and doesn't feel pressure to do something they're not ready for.

I understand what kristie is saying and never really thought about it before - but honestly I'd rather kids learn about sex through books rather than from their schoolmates or television.

Good points, celerystalker (love that screen name!) And we do want our girls to know that sex in marriage is a wonderful thing. I would assume with OP's convictions about how to raise dd, there is probably precious little tv watching these days.

OP - if your beliefs are Christian-based, there is a fabulous book you could have your dd read, maybe as a condition of reading the one she wants. It is called Facing the Facts: The Truth about Sex and You. It's the 4th book in the God's Design for Sex series, and is geared to tweens. Among other things, it deals with messages about sex our kids may get from friends and the media. Straightforward, not embarassing to read, and full of much useful information. It is Christian, but not of the head-in-the-sand variety.

If you feel like she's really not ready to talk about it, the 3rd book, geared for ages 8-11, is a little less blunt (not much less, though) and called What's The Big Deal?

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Like a pp poster described, I was always a voracious reader. I started reading the Sword of Truth series when I was in 6th grade (and there is some heavy content in that!). My parents hadn't read the series and never talked to me about it, but I was one of the kids who didn't really need it. To me, it's not so much the age of the child but the maturity and personality of the child involved.

 

[nkjzmom]

My daughters book is here and I just opened the box. I havent' read this series and she ordered the book from Amazon herself with help from DH.


I just read the back of the book and . My daughter is 12 and we don't allow books that are extremely violent or have sexual content. We are a pretty conservative family. Based on the back of the book I am certainly worried about sexual content.

Can someone tell me if what the content of this book is like??? I don't need the storyline or spoilers, I just need to know if this is really appropriate for my 12 year old.

So I assume she's read the first 3, correct? Were you okay with the kissing/cuddling scenes in those books?

I have thoroughly enjoyed these books. Stephenie Meyer is Mormon, as am I, so I expected a clean story. I think we've gotten that (with the exception of the swearing...we don't use any of that language around here even though most of it was minor). I appreciate that they wait for marriage before having sex.

I wont, however, be letting DD11 read it soon. I think she should be a little more mature. I plainly felt the emotions of Bella and Edward's attraction and I just think she should be a little older before she reads that...maybe I feel that way because I'm older and maybe she wouldn't even notice...but I felt a little tingly at times...if you know what I mean.

That being said, if you let her read the first 3, it seems a little cruel to withhold the conclusion from her. You should read it before you make your decision.

Good luck!

 

[nkjzmom]

Here is an exerpt from a great review that someone just linked to on the spoilers thread...I think this is a great description.

"One thing is absolutely certain: this book is not a young adult book. Though it’s classified as such, and the main characters are in their teens, the themes in this book are probably too much for the younger fans of the series. Maybe they can handle the material, but probably can’t appreciate or understand it all. There is sex (though subtle), violence, frank discussion of the biological side of reproduction (well, frank for a book geared mainly toward young teens), and some unorthodox relationships and requests. Though the other books aren’t exactly light, this volume is darker. Many characters have to make really difficult decisions, between the ones they love, choosing between death and life for themselves and their families, and deciding where their loyalties lie. Everyone faces these choices - Bella, Edward, the Cullens, Charlie, the Denali clan, the wolves, and other friends of the Cullens - and do so admirably; their choices in this book truly show the strength and depth of all the characters." Jane Granville

I feel the need to add that Stephenie did not write these geared toward YA's. I think because they do lack serious sex, violence, and other mature topics the publishers deemed them YA material. I also don't think YA should include 11, 12, 13 year olds. What most people assume is that just because we are adults we want to read "adult" type garbage. But we also don't watch R rated movies and we strongly screen our PG-13's.

 

[RUDisney]

One thing to consider is that in Eclipse, Bella and Edward struggle about whether to wait or not. First Edward demands that they wait until marriage and Bella doesn't want to wait; then Bella wants to wait and Edward is ready.

The description of their kissing and Bella trying to undress Edward and herself is about as graphic as the honeymoon and post-vampire scenes in BD.

If she's already read Eclipse, she's already read SM's brand of sex writing.