Hello, I'm new to this forum. I've enjoyed reading many of your posts and re-living certain aspects of my own kids' development.
Here is my current issue on the homefront. A while back I picked up a book at the library for my daughter. She hadn't asked for it, I just noticed it was a pirate book with a girl on the cover. The inside flap said for ages 10-14—my daughter is 10. I read a page out of the middle of the book and found nothing objectionable and brought it home.
My girl looked it over and thought it would be interesting, but told me she was still reading another book at that time. My husband and I read (seperately) to each of our kids everynight even though they can both read. I'm sure many other parents do the same. So my husband said this book could be their bedtime reading.
So, could this intro be any longer? Sorry. My husband informed me of what we feel is questionable content for a 10 year old. What I'd like to do here is alert other parents, but also to see if anyone else finds it inappropriate. Let me state here that I don't believe in censorship. I am not a religious zealot. And my kids know way more about sexuality (in what I feel is an appropriate context for their ages) than I did at their ages.
In the passage, one character relates how he has tattooed the words, "please enter" on the rear end of a passed out female. I don't think any of the characters in the passage is over the age of 12.
Now, while I am not offended by this passage, I do find it to be inapproprate for a 10 year old. I called the library where we stop in at least once a week, and the librarian said she saw my point and would move it to the teen section which is for 6th to 10th graders. 6th grade? Oh, well.
Would you feel okay about being asked to explain this passage? And if not, should it really be marketed to 10 year olds? Again, I don't really believe in censorship, but I don't think a book with this content should be marketed to 10 year olds. What if my daughter had read this herself and come to me with a question, would I take the book away from her, not knowing what else migh be in there? I don't really know, but I also don't think I should have to read through every tween book my daughter picks up.
Well, this post is way too long. I promise I'll keep any others short. I would be interested in your input.