Just After Sunset for 9 Year Old?

[AngelZ]

My daughter is an avid reader and writer. She likes to write poetry and short stories. I have a copy of Just After Sunset and I haven't gotten to it yet. I would like to show her what kind of elements would be in great short stories. I'm just wondering if there are some that are too scary for a child her age. I'm also wondering about the sexual content.

I've discussed with her the fact that some authors use foul language in their books, so she has been prepared for that aspect of Stephen King's books.

[tillyn]

I believe this is one of his tamer short stories book. I think you can be safe to let her read it. I'm sure she has seen worse on tv, no matter how hard you try to watch what viewing, something always slips in.

[coolambindang]

I wouldn't let my daughter read it. SK is just to much for some young ones. I did not start reading SK untill I was 12 or 13, not that my parents wouldn't have let me but I think I would not have been ready for the material at that age. There are many other authors who write short stories that would be better for her age, why would you want her to start with SK? Has she ever read anything by him? It seems an odd choice IMHO. Hope that helps. Let us know what you decide and further if you do let her read it what she thinks.

[Dani~]

I'd say read one first and if it passes your filter then by all means let her read it and you two can have great discussions over it. My son is fifteen and just starting to appreciate Stephen King. I never disturb him if he has his nose in one of Stephen's books.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

My kids (now 28 and 23) started with Night Shift at ten and they were OK with that, Brothers Grimm is plenty scary too.

I think she'd probably be OK with JAS, especially as she has you to discuss the stories with, the advantage of home schooling IMO.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Dani~]

PS I understand Stephen King wrote Eye of the Dragon for his children and although it is not a short story it might be a good introductory work for the two of you to read together.
I'm probably stating the obvious to you. Also there are a lot of short stories to choose from outside of Just After Sunset. There was a discussion some days ago of 'Here there be Tygers' and that struck me as a possible good short story for a younger audience. Although I haven't read it with my filter on.

[rjt65]

I really would suggest you reading it and making the call - only you know the level of maturity etc your kids has.

But I am rereading (yes already--Read when it first came out) it now just started last Night and will give you updates as i go through.

the first story Willa -- NP IMO. good Ghost story.

[Seneca_V]

Hi,

I think it would depend on how grown-up your daughter is. If she's reading and writing at 9, that's fantastic! I actually think that Just After Sunset would be a good one to start with. I don't remember anything incredibly scary or sexual about any of the stories. There may be some remarks or language she might not understand. There are some bad words, but I don't remember it being full of them.

The only one that might freak her out is The Cat From Hell. Just my opinion though, you may want to read a few of the stories first, because I'm not sure what you do and don't want your daughter to read. I think you'll get asked quite a few questions too.

Good luck, and kudos to you and your daughter that she enjoys reading and writing! I'm always glad to hear things like this!

-Sen

[Ubasti]

I think Willa would be fine as well as The Things They Left Behind. Over all thought I think JAS would be a good book for her to read ... maybe leaving out The Cat from Hell and A Very Tight Place.

[smjohn]

My daughter is an avid reader and writer. She likes to write poetry and short stories. I have a copy of Just After Sunset and I haven't gotten to it yet. I would like to show her what kind of elements would be in great short stories. I'm just wondering if there are some that are too scary for a child her age. I'm also wondering about the sexual content.

I've discussed with her the fact that some authors use foul language in their books, so she has been prepared for that aspect of Stephen King's books.

I agree with your concerns as I also have children and monitor what they see and read. I have read JAS and found nothing in it that I wouldn't let my 16 year old daughter read.