IT- can I use with 7th graders?

[karen8]

I am a 7th grade teacher wondering if there is content in IT that would make it inappropriate for a 7th grade book club. The students would like o read it for October and to kick off our S. King book club. I have not read the book yet, just seen the movie. Will be reading with them. I hear there may be a questionable shower scene?? What about the level of violence? Can anyone help out? Pages would be great. Also, any middle grades teachers out there?

[Moderator]

Yes, there is a sex scene in it which could be a problem for that age level. And definitely violence. Have you read the book yet?

You might have less problems with something like The Eyes of the Dragon or The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

AWMMS (And What Ms Mod Said).

In the UK we don't know what age-group comprises 7th Grade, but I'd DEFINITELY read it first before I selected it anyway.

And it's also a very long and complex novel for the first-timer IMO

Long days and pleasant nights

[Doc Wilson]

I would think you'd be asking for trouble, the sexual part that comes near the end could flip some parents out if they got wind of it. I would suggest the Talisman as a substitute.

[ScarecrowJoe]

good stuff to know. my teacher would probably pitch a fit if she read that!

[Lencho_of_the_Apes]

In terms of "questionable" content, I think The Talisman is a much better choice.

We all float down here, BUT....

[michal]

Have to say that's a tough call for me. I was in the 7th grade when I read the book for the first time and I loved it. To tell you the truth - I didn't even find the sex scene all that intriguing and basically read through it without as much as a pause. But of course, now that I am older - would I want my kids to read it? The answer is: Probably yes, if they picked it up in the library. I personally believe that a child shouldn't have any Out of Limit Books. That's how it was in my house. But maybe I still wouldn't want it to be read out in class, and I figure some parents might disapprove.

[LauraJo]

I agree - the book deals indirectly with domestic violence, paedophilia (Bev and her dad), suicide and underage group sex before you even get to the murders, which are suitably gruesome. An excellent book, though, and whilst it isn't done in a tacky and 'shock-jock' way, I could imagine some parents being up in arms about it. The earlier sex scene with Bev and her husband is also very graphic...read it first, and see what you think. Not that I don't think seventh graders should read it, I just think it would be more trouble than its worth with parents kicking off.

[faithraine96]

I'm reading it for the first time now and I'm in 8th grade. I wouldn't probably read it in front of a class. There's a line from early in the book describing Don Hagarty, a gay man, "wearing satin pants tight enough to read the wrinkles in his ****." So far an excellent book, loved the movie too, but I'd read this as more of an independent as to reading it out loud to a group of 7th graders. But then again, all of SK's books, or at least the ones I've read so far, are a bit graphic, either with sex scenes or with violence. I don't remember much, or any, sex scenes in 'Salem, but that too might be too graphic and hard to follow.

[Craig Zadow]

I'm reading it for the first time now and I'm in 8th grade. I wouldn't probably read it in front of a class. There's a line from early in the book describing Don Hagarty, a gay man, "wearing satin pants tight enough to read the wrinkles in his ****." So far an excellent book, loved the movie too, but I'd read this as more of an independent as to reading it out loud to a group of 7th graders. But then again, all of SK's books, or at least the ones I've read so far, are a bit graphic, either with sex scenes or with violence. I don't remember much, or any, sex scenes in 'Salem, but that too might be too graphic and hard to follow.

I think Salems Lot would be a good substitute, very little sex to bug parents and not half as violent as It. There's kind of a difference, It is disturbing(and scary) Salems lot is mostly just scary and not TOO disturbing.

[thepunisher82]

I read this book when I was in sixth grade, but now as a parent I would definitely have a problem with this getting assigned to my son when he reaches the seventh grade. The scene with Patrick Hocksetter and Henry Bowers would probably be the most offensive part of the story to me if I thought my son had to read it.

[aptpupil]

Go for it.

My kids are 4, 3 and 1, and I send them to sleep with a page of "IT" every night! :laugh:

[yankeesboi87]

I read it this summer, and I'm now in 8th grade. I WOULD NOT read it with 7th graders. I remember thinking to myself as I was reading, Man this book is so good, but if Mom knew what it said, she'd kill me. I loved the book though! I would read it with sophmores or freshman, not 7th graders. Hope I helped.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

I note that the original poster has not been back since posting.

I must say I find it surprising that ANY teacher would specify a book they hadn't read themselves but had just 'seen the movie'.

Long days and pleasant nights

[LadyHitchhiker]

I think the Gunslinger might be a good book. The sex that is in it is minimal, but nothing more than I'm sure they see on tv.

I read It when I was first in 7th grade. But I was a very mature reader. I would take a pause before thinking It would be a good choice, especially due to the length. (It might be a challenge especially if the kids are unmotivated.) Are you really going to get the kids to read it? Or will they sneak out and think by watching the movie that they will be able to get away with a good grade?

[nicklove09]

I read it when i was 11, (secretly) my parents would have been upset if I read that before i was 30, haha.

I agree with Eyes of Dragon, or even, even, Carrie. I think we read Carrie in our 10th grade English class, (not out loud) but yeah. haah.

The girl who Loved tom gordon seemed to be written for Younger people.