The Nanny Diaries- appropriate for an 11 year old?

[m&m's mom]

I bought the Nanny Diaries to read on vacation but never got to it. My 11 year old DD is begging to read the book now. Is it appropriate for an 11 YO - and she is not an old 11 YO KWIM?

 

[m&m's mom]

Man, I blink and am already on the 2nd page. This muxt not be a good time to post.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

It's been so long since I read it - it's basically a huge long whine fest of how the rich people are extremely dysfunctional and don't treat the Nanny or their kid nicely.

I think the Father has a mistress

and then the wife gets pregnant on purpose to keep the rich guy married to her.

but I don't recall any blatant sex. It is hard to know what people consider appropriate reading - my Mom always let me read anything. That's probably why I turned out like this.

 

[KariC]

hmm...i read it, too, when it first came out. I remember loving it. If she is an avid reader, and has good comprehension skills, she might like it. If not, some things won't be as amusing to her. I can't remember if it has anything objectional in it.

I read all things (still do) at that age and even before. I read "Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret" at seven!! My mom was in El. Education at the time and it was on her "kiddie lit" list. I completed all the books before she even got to them. Imagine her surprise when she read that one, and knew that I read it first! I had no idea what a period meant, or why those girls would want to increase their bust.

 

[m&m's mom]

DD read a few pages and really wants to continue. I guess if it was really bad yal would remember.
My Mother also was a teacher and I was reading Sidney Sheldon at 12 but DD is a lot less mature than I was at the same age.
I am looking for ways to give her more freedom so this will be the 1st step.

 

[daisax]

I enjoyed the book, but I don't think a "young" 11 year old would enjoy reading about unloved children. The "poor little rich kid" in the story is really heartbreaking.

A lot would go over her head, but it's pretty much totally an adult take on dysfunctional parenting/employment. I don't see what attraction it would hold for your daughter.

The nanny knows the boss husband is cheating and keeps it from the wife and wonders about the ethics of it. In fact, the book is chock full of ethical issues well above the average 11 year old's head.

 

[Hedy]

I enjoyed the book, but I don't think a "young" 11 year old would enjoy reading about unloved children. The "poor little rich kid" in the story is really heartbreaking.

A lot would go over her head, but it's pretty much totally an adult take on dysfunctional parenting/employment. I don't see what attraction it would hold for your daughter.

The nanny knows the boss husband is cheating and keeps it from the wife and wonders about the ethics of it. In fact, the book is chock full of ethical issues well above the average 11 year old's head.

Agreed. I'm not a fan of limiting what kids read, but I don't think a 11 year old would be ready for the book.

 

[Crankyshank]

It really depends on the maturity level. The nanny has sex in the book, the husband has a mistress (lots of time spent trying to find underpants), and the unloved child aspect is pretty sad. I just don't really see anything about the book that would appeal to a 11yr old.

 

[m&m's mom]

It's those dang commercials about the movie. She thinks it would be interesting. I hate to say "No" if it is not completely inappropriate. Maybe the issue will just die down.