Appropriate for Children?

[deadzone333]

I'm hoping someone can point me to a place where Stephen King novels are reviewed as to their appropriateness (individually) for children. My son is eleven.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Welcome to the MB, and keep posting!

You can find plot synopsis of all the books on the main site, but it obviously depends on a number of factors; my own children read Night Shift and The Stand between ten and twelve, but I'd read them myself if I was you to gauge whether or not they'd be suitable.

But I can definitely recommend The Eyes of the Dragon and The Talisman.

Long days and pleasant nights

[kisun]

Hi, and welcome to the board.
AWJS (And What John Said)

I think that Salem's Lot could be another possibility; if you are okay with a little violence.
But I think that Eyes of the Dragon would be the best place to start. It's really a very well written and elaborate fairy-tale with pictures

[tempest]

Well, when I was a kid my parents never monitored my reading so I really do not know what to say or suggest. I have told parents to either grant your child autonomy or read the book yourself first.

My parents would not even think of telling me not to read something they knew it would end up on my "to read list" .

[paper_is_sweet]

My dear, dear father turned me loose on "The Stand" when I was 12. It was my first "grown-up" book and I was desperate to read it because they were releasing the TV mini-series before my birthday that year. He had read it first and instructed me to come to him if I didn't understand any of the things presented in the novel. I was a really precocious kid, so what might have been uncomfortable conversations about sexuality and violence were, instead, thought-provoking assessments of spirituality and religion.

Now I’m a high school English teacher, so I get the hesitation to introduce children to subject matter in books that they may not be ready for. I think the key is to read the novels yourself and know your child. Lots of Mr. Kings works are violent and some deal with adult sexuality. Some are just plain terrifying. "Cycle of the Werewolf," however, springs to mind as a great Stephen King starter novel.

[Annarkie]

If the kid picks one up on their own DON"T STOP them. So many kids are practically illiterate and it is sad.
I started reading King at like nine or ten. I'm reading the Green Mile to my 7yr old, (editing out the bad words and the sexual content of course) and he is loving it! We're on the third book and he's fascinated with John Coffey and loves Mr. Jingles.

[Doc Wilson]

I agree with posters who suggest you read them first, its really the only way. Though the Talisman is a charming novel that a kid would love, it does have some fairly explicit sexual references in the dialogue that you might not be comfortable with your kid reading.

[scratchesass]

Eyes of the Dragon....

"Daddy, what does it mean when "Kings Iron gets hard when put before the forge?' "

I read a bunch of 'em really early and I ended up just fine. Just ask any of my therapists, and the warden says if I don't eat the sheets anymore I kin have sum visiters.

[Ducky]

It's been a while since I read it, but what about The girl who loved Tom Gordon? It is a great little story, and not too scary and gory, if I remember correctly? Best of luck, and I think your son is in for a great experience whichever book you end up choosing.

All the best,
Ducky.

[pagantallie]

It's been a while since I read it, but what about The girl who loved Tom Gordon? It is a great little story, and not too scary and gory, if I remember correctly? Best of luck, and I think your son is in for a great experience whichever book you end up choosing.

All the best,
Ducky.

I agree, 'the girl who loved tom gordon' is possibly the best one to start with as it contains very little sex violence or profanities - it does contain peril though. I think it also depends on what else your son has seen and read - you could always read it to him and therefore edit out anything you deem inapropriate.