IT- can I use with 7th graders?

**karen8** · September 28th, 2009

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** · September 28th, 2009

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** · September 28th, 2009

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** · September 28th, 2009

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** · September 28th, 2009

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

**Lencho_of_the_Apes** · September 28th, 2009

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

We all float down here, BUT....

**michal** · September 29th, 2009

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** · September 30th, 2009

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** · October 1st, 2009

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** · October 2nd, 2009

Originally Posted by 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.

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.