Watership Down--Calling all librarians, teachers, and avid readers....

[Pixiedust34]

What is the reading level of this book? Middle school? High school? College??

Background:

I haven't read Watership Down for more than a couple of decades, so I'm very rusty with this book. From what I remember, I would consider it to be a high school level book. I actually read it for fun while in college. I never had it as a required reading.

My dd (11--avid reader) is itching to read it. I know that she can read it, but I told her that I think she'd get more out of enjoying it when she's a few years older. Now she's not sure whether to read it now for fun or to wait as recommended. I likened it to a recent book she enjoyed, The Phantom Tollbooth. I told her that she could have read it a few years ago, but some of the literary techniques that she enjoyed reading it at age 11 would have been missed had she read it at a younger age.

It's up to her whether to tackle Watership Down now or wait until she's older in order to appreciate it more, but we both thought we'd ask the wise readers here on the Dis to give an opinion on whether this is a high school level book or not. Perhaps I'm misjudging its complexity.

TIA on any opinions you can give on Watership Down.

 

[TwinsinCA]

I've never read it, but it has an AR level of 6.2. It should be right at your daughter's level.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I've never read it, but it has an AR level of 6.2. It should be right at your daughter's level.

Thanks! It does sound like I could be misjudging its complexity.

 

[nskjerven]

Does your DD re-read books she likes? My kids do - so reading it now at her age (their ages too 13 & 10) would be an issue for me or them. I think reading is always a good thing

 

[floridascgirl]

My DS read Watership Down, as well as, Tales From Watership Down around age 10. The Phantom Tollbooth was one of his favorites at age 9...he read it multiple times.

 

[XYSRUS]

You are reading more into it. Yes, it does have some deeper meaning and philosophies in the book, but the surface story is great and enthralling. I read it in 5th grade and 2 of my boys read it in 6th. EXCELLENT BOOK!

 

[yellowlabforever]

I love Watership Down. I read this year, (and I'm a Senior in High School), it took a while for me to read (because I didn't have any time to read) but I loved it. I recently read it again. I say go for it and she can always read it again when she's older.

 

[LBAK]

It's required 6th grade reading in our school.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

It was part of my summer reading going into 8th grade.

 

[Scurvy]

Someone her age could definitely appreciate the book. She might be able to get more out of it later, but she could always read the book again when she's a little older. That's what I always recommend to my son. In fact, it can be especially nice to read a story once just for entertainment and then a few years later go back and see all the symbolism and meanings you might have missed the first time.

 

[PirateSnowmen]

It was required reading the summer between 8th & 9th grade here. I'm an avid reader, but I didn't like it at all. I'm sure I'll re-read it at one point - maybe I'll like it then.

 

[MrsPete]

I think she's just the right age to read it as a sweet little animal adventure story. Later she might want to read it again, and she might find deeper meanings: environmental issues, comparison of democratic vs. totalitarian governments, leadership styles.

But if she wants to read it now, I'd let her read it now.

 

[vettechick99]

I remember watching the movie when I was little and crying like a baby. I still remember the "incident" clearly in my mind. My BFF says it's one of her favorite books, but I'm wary to read it. I know what's coming!

 

[WestCOT]

I started trying to read it when I was 10. A few years shy of a decade later, I still haven't finished. It's one of the most terrifyingly dull books ever written.

 

[Magpie]

Let her read it! She can always read it again in a few years.

I've reread many books, and every few years I return to my favorites. For example - I first read The Lord of the Rings when I was ten. Then again when I was fifteen. And when I was 18, and when I was 22. Oh... and I read it aloud to my kids when the movies were coming out a few years back.

It was a different experience each and every time!

FWIW - Watership Down is one of my daughter's all-time favorite books. She first read it when she was younger than your daughter, and she liked it mainly as an animal story with lots of interesting folk tales. I don't think her early enjoyment of the book will prevent her from someday reading it as a political fable, when she's ready to understand it on that level.

 

[Jennasis]

Also, if she likes Watership Down, tell her to pick up a copy of "The Heavenly Horse from the Outermost West". Very enjoyable, especially if she is into horses. Very much like Watership Down.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I read it the first time in 5th grade, I think. I got the great adventure and even managed to soak up some of the darker elements, and I thoroughly enjoyed the book - it was one of my all-time favorite reads.

I re-read it when I was just out of college and got all sorts of things out of it that I hadn't the first time I read it. OTOH, I had lost the sense of wonder and literalism of my first read.

I would say let her read it and enjoy it as the child she is now, then if she wants to re-read it again with the educated eyes of an adult she will be free to do so.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I first read it during the 6th grade (for fun - it's never been required reading for me) and loved it.

I've lived all over the world in the last 10 years and due to repeatedly moving with only a suitcase full of possessions, I only truly "own" 4 books - all of my other books can be given away or donated without any hesitation - Watership Down is one of my 4 books.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I'd say yes, your daughter's a good age. She may, however, just appreciate it as a fantastical talking animals type story, which is fine. Not everyone needs to get the allegorical fine points of the story. If you want her to look at it from that more literary standpoint, you can put the idea in her head by saying, "You know, this book isn't really about rabbits. It's about people. You read it and tell me what it says about them."