Twilight Series for 11 year old?

[goofy's friends]

My daughter is in 6th grade and "all her friends" are reading the Twilight series, are going to the midnight premier when the movie comes out, have the t-shirts, etc. She is wanting to read it now too. She gets scared very easily and I know there is romantic content , but how much? Are these books age-appropriate? I don't want to tell her flat-out no because that will just tempt her to read it behind my back. Knowing her, I really don't think she would like them, but she just wants to because all her friends are. So, knowing that it isn't in her best interest to read them: how can I get her to come to the conclusion on her own that she doesn't want to read them? What can I tell her about them and what can you tell me about them?

I know many of you are fans of the books and I'm sure they are great when she gets older and can handle the content. Don't flame me.

 

[minniebeth]

Somewhere there is a thread where this is addressed by several people of varying points of views and they are good to read to evaluate. I've read all 4 books and have an 11yo DD and a 13 yo DS. I know that many of DS's classmates (mostly girls of course) are reading them and a few of DD's classmates are. I'd say it really depends on the reading/emotional level that you are comfortable with. It is a love story and can be as intense as the readers' imagination allows it to be. The first two books are fine by me, but I think the last two are somewhat mature for an 11yo. (Sexual content, the blood and gore factor in Breaking Dawn, the theme of being "hunted"...) But that's me. One of the reasons I read the books myself was to make an informed decision (and loved them by the way.) I just think that there are SOOO many great books for 11yos to read that are wonderful and appropriate, why rush. I tell my DD there's lots of good books to look forward to that will be all the better when she is mature enough to really appreciate them. She is an average reader and is just breezing through the books she has found lately.

I always try to keep in mind when deciding if my kids should read questionable books: they are reading it through kids' eyes, not adults eyes...the themes are going to be read differently than how we as adults will read them. Sometimes this can work for or against a book depending.

For the Twilight books, I'd say 13/14 is a good age for them.....
Good luck deciding!

 

[RUDisney]

Here is a link to the original thread about a 12-yo reading the series. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1686685

You know, if you're worried about her reading Twilight, you should read it first. So many of us mom's loved it. You might, too. It's a quick read and then you'll know with confidence if your DD should be reading it or not.

My BFF's 11 yo DD read it, on my recommendation. When she got it from the library, she read it 3 times in the 2 weeks she had it. As for questionable themes, it's written by a Mormon. It's as risque as a Mormon would get.

 

[Anewman]

I do feel the books might be a bit mature for 6th graders... But they are books.

They are exposed to lots of stuff TOO MATURE for their age, and get no educational benefit.

I say let her read them.

 

[kristilew]

I know a lot of people on here love these books and think they're fine for younger girls. I've only read the first one, but here's what I told my dd11:

First, the writing is drivel. Really, really bad pedestrian writing. If you have a "reader" who enjoys well-crafted books, this will not meet the standard.

Characters are less developed than those on many sitcoms. For example, Bella's clumsiness is mentioned all the time, but actually has no point. Her relationship with her dad is strained, but no details or background are ever given.

Secondly, Bella, the female lead, is the antithesis of the kind of young woman I would like dd to be. She is whiny, shallow, obsessive, and impulsive to the point of stupidity. She never thinks through her actions, instead consistently relying on a male to rescue her. I understand that many readers think this is great because it so closely mirrors real adolesence, but why would I want my daughter to see that kind of immaturity rewarded with true love.

Which brings me to the third thing I hate about this book: Bella and Edward are instantly, passionately, and senselessly IN LOVE. The kind of LOVE that justifies all sorts of stupid behavior. The kind of love that has no basis in any kind of compatability. Please, God, protect my child from thinking this is how real romance works.

After explaining all this, I got dd a copy of Brahm Stoker's original Dracula instead. It is the original vampire novel, and was a techno-thriller in its day. She has enjoyed the story line, and been challenged to think about the way women were viewed in the 1800s and whether she agrees with that or not. The "olden days" setting has allowed her to consider these issues without necessarily identifying with the characters. We've had some fascinating discussions.

Just my 2cents.

 

[minniebeth]

I know a lot of people on here love these books and think they're fine for younger girls. I've only read the first one, but here's what I told my dd11:

First, the writing is drivel. Really, really bad pedestrian writing. If you have a "reader" who enjoys well-crafted books, this will not meet the standard.

Characters are less developed than those on many sitcoms. For example, Bella's clumsiness is mentioned all the time, but actually has no point. Her relationship with her dad is strained, but no details or background are ever given.

Secondly, Bella, the female lead, is the antithesis of the kind of young woman I would like dd to be. She is whiny, shallow, obsessive, and impulsive to the point of stupidity. She never thinks through her actions, instead consistently relying on a male to rescue her. I understand that many readers think this is great because it so closely mirrors real adolesence, but why would I want my daughter to see that kind of immaturity rewarded with true love.

Which brings me to the third thing I hate about this book: Bella and Edward are instantly, passionately, and senselessly IN LOVE. The kind of LOVE that justifies all sorts of stupid behavior. The kind of love that has no basis in any kind of compatability. Please, God, protect my child from thinking this is how real romance works.

After explaining all this, I got dd a copy of Brahm Stoker's original Dracula instead. It is the original vampire novel, and was a techno-thriller in its day. She has enjoyed the story line, and been challenged to think about the way women were viewed in the 1800s and whether she agrees with that or not. The "olden days" setting has allowed her to consider these issues without necessarily identifying with the characters. We've had some fascinating discussions.

Just my 2cents.

I TOTALLY get what you are saying, and as an educator, I appreciate it.
However, this is my point from my previous post: do you really think an 11yo is going to pick up on all those themes? I just dont think they have the emotional maturity to analyze a book in this way. If books like these were all kids read, I could understand wanting to provide strong characters for kids to identify with. These books will hopefully be only a drop in the bucket of scores of books kids will read. This is why kids read curriculum driven quality literature in school, or at home hopefully if they are home schooled.
Part of what I want for my kids is to read for the love of reading and if a vampire love story will get my kids to read a 600 page book at an age where they are ready for it, I think that's great too.
I definately think books like these are GREAT for inspiring conversations with our kids!