May 12, 2011:
Do you read books “meant” for other age groups? Adult books when you were a child; Young-Adult books now that you’re grown; Picture books just for kicks … You know … books not “meant” for you. Or do you pretty much stick to what’s written for people your age?May 19, 2011:
In contrast to last week’s question–What do you think of censoring books BECAUSE of
their intended age? Say, books too “old” for your kids to read?
My answers: I do read books meant for other age groups. I've read a few young adult novels recently and really enjoyed them (Hugner Games Trilogy!!). When I was in late elementary and early junior high I read a lot of Stephen King books-I'm not sure that those were above my age level necessarily but I know my mom thought they were and wouldn't let me read Gerald's Game because she felt like it was inappropriate.I actually think she threw it out after reading it because she found it so offensive. I could easily have found a copy at the library but because my parents had never told me what I could or couldn't read I guess I just accepted that if it was that bad I probably didn't want to read it anyway. When I look at the description of the novel I'm glad that I didn't read it!! So how do I feel about books being "censored" based on age...well censored is a pretty strong word, but I do think that some material -specifically of a highly violent or sexual-or violent AND sexual nature-is inappropriate for younger readers-but I also think it depends on the individual, and I think parents not only have a right, but an obligation to protect their children. I don't necessarily think a parent should just say "no absolutely not" to a novel without a very good reason-and if anything I think they should then read the book in question to determine why they don't want their child reading it and have a discussion about it. I may feel differently once it comes to my own children though!
That is why I threw out the book Geralds'Game by Stephen King. It was very sexual and violent and you were definitely too young for that. Other than that book and not allowing you to bring the movie "The Exorcist"(original version) into my house, I don't recall every censoring your books.
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