Twilight Books

My 11 yr old niece has watched the movie and read all 4 books. The books are a 100 times better than the movie, and totally appropriate for tweens and teens alike!!

I haven't read them myself, but one of my close friends' nieces LOVES the books. I think she is 10 or 11. I know her family is pretty strict about what she is allowed to read and see.

Hello,
My daughter is 10 and she has read the series, along with 3 of her friends. I have not read the books, and was concerned when she brought the first one home... Her best friends Mom bought them and read them first. She said it is a romance, but it is not a steamy grown up romance. My daughter was grossed out about a kiss, but that is as far as it goes.
My daughter is also advanced for her age... the school doesn't have any books in her reading level, so I decided these books would be ok for at least that if nothing else.

*after reading other responses, I am not sure... we have not done the fourth book yet, Neither has her friends mom.

I would say not. It's a love story. The first book would probably be okay, but not the later of the three. (And you're right, the movie wasn't great, but if you liked it at all, I recommend reading them yourself (I was totally hooked) and then deciding if they're appropriate for your 10 year old.

I would say, yes, the books probably follow that "PG-13" line of subject matter. I also have heard that books 3 and 4 are not for the younger crowd. My 12 year old started reading the book and quit about half way through because she said "there are better books out there." She had little interest in seeing the movie. Part of this may have been after reading an article in one of her christian teen mags. In my opinion, I think the subject matter is a little mature for a 10-12 year old...they don't need any more mature material pushed on them to encourage dating and romance. Good luck with your decision. I'm right there with you reaching the "thin line" stage.

My daughter whom is 9 wants to read them but I think its too old for her. Book 4 is for sure not for kids. There is sex, and a lot of other grown up themes. The other ones have violence in them but again it is up to you if you think your child is mature enough.

excellent reading material....read them while back...may get a bit foul language....but for the most part its a great read.....my daughter got me to read them.i havent seen the movie-but was told not as good as the book.go to book outlet stores-get them real cheap-plus they buy books back-if in good condition.

I have read all of the books of this series. I thought they were very well written and one of the best series I have read for a while. I also have a 10 1/2 year old daughter along with a 6 year old daughter as well. While I am not saying that my older daughter cannot read the books, I am encouraging her not to. I think the first book was pretty safe, but I think the series goes on to deal with some "older" issues like marriage, honeymoon, sex, preganancy and even abortion. I know that I am fairly conservative, and I talk very openly with my daughter and we have had discussions about the books because her friends are reading them. I also don't really like the lead character as a role model for my daughters. She is weak, clumsy, and needs the 2 men in the love triangle to take care of her. She is also keeping secrets from her dad and having the vampire stay overnight in her bedroom, so that doesn't sit well with me either. While the decision is yours, I would recommend that you take the time to read them to make up your own mind. If you have read them, and you choose to have your daughter read them as well, it will give you some good topics for great learning conversations about some of these life situations.

Absolutely! They are geared towards teens so there aren't any graphic sex scenes (darn-it! LoL) I'm a HUGE Twilight fan, and not only will your daughter love them but you can rest easy knowing she's not reading anything too mature for her age =)

I have read all 4 books, as has my 13 year old son. I think they are EXCELLENT. I'd say that #1 and #2 would be ok for mature 10 year olds, but not #3 and DEF not #4. Lots of sexual innuendo, though not sexually graphic.

I suggest you read them first. You know your daughter better than anyone and will know if they are OK for her. My 18-year-old and I read the book together and discussed it. My 11-year-old has expressed some interest in reading it too, but I'm not sure she can handle the violence. She's pretty sensitive.

My objection to the book was the depiction of the lead female character as weak and completely obsessed with the male character. I personally do not want this character to be any sort of role model for my daughters. As my daughter put it, girls are already boy crazy enough, they don't need any encouragement to take it to a new level. :)

In my opinion the books are not meant for anyone under the age of 16. The fourth book is filled with adult themes and not appropriate for young teens. I am married and found myself blushing at it.

absolutely would be fine. they are easy reads and no swearing, sex, etc. iolence is between vampires and were wolves.

I wouldn't let my daughter read them. There are a lot of sexual things in the book that I don't think she needs, but that is just my opinion. A lot of moms are ok with that.

A.

I've read the books (and actually enjoyed them!) but I really wouldn't let me 10 year old read them. I think they're probably more appropriate for 13+. There isn't any drug use or overt sex scenes (although sex does occur in the final book, it is a married couple and is not very explicit) it's just that the content is rather intense and (I think at least) a little too grown-up for a preteen. However, I'm probably more conservative in my opinions than you are (I wouldn't have let her see the movie yet either), so you may want to take that into account. If you didn't think there was anything too grown-up for her in the movie than you probably won't object to the books either. I think they're a great choice for teens, but I'd recommend waiting a few years.

Good luck!
J.

My daughter will be 12 in May. I did let her read the series, but I read each book before her, and we talked about the parts that I wanted to make sure she was ready for. We also talked about the fact that this is all fiction, not reality. My daughter is pretty mature, and I think she handled it well, but I have to say I was a bit hesitant because she is a little young for the series in my opinion (which is why we read them at the same time and talked through them). I think she would have found a way to read them anyway (they have the books at her school library...), so I wanted to make sure my viewpoints were in her head when she did read them...

I would not recommend them for a 10 year old. I was shocked when I heard that someone I know was letting her 12 year old read them. They were pretty violent and dark at time, and the last one, though it doesn't go into a lot of detail, briefly mentions sex, and then is mainly about a very disturbing pregnancy. Some of my adult friends were very bothered by it. These books are in the "young adult" section of the library. That means they are usually intended for AT LEAST 14 and up, if not 16 and up. I was a very advanced readed at that age (was reading at a college level by 6th grade, and a 10th grade level in 3rd grade) but these would have traumatized me if I had read them when I was under 18, I think. Maybe 16. I wouldn't let any child of mine read them unless they were 16 or up. The movies would probably be okay though. They tone them down A LOT. And I think my imagination gets the better of me when I read a book versus watching a movie of it.

Hi T.,
I know you've gotten a lot of responses, and I haven't read them so sorry if I repeat! I just read the first book of the Twilight series. I am a teacher, and I personally feel it is appropriate for a mature 10 1/2 year old. If she loves to read and is a good reader, this is not a book you'll need to censor. There is no explicit mention of sex in the book, and it is only alluded to once. In this scene, the young girl asks her vampire boyfriend if two of his married vampire friends behave as married people do. She's referring to doing the deed, but you'd really have to read between the lines to get this. Your daughter might not understand. If she does, though, that's not the worst way to describe it! Other than that, it's fine. There are a few "make-out" scenes, but nothing is described in real detail. There are some scary parts, but nothing to give you nightmares. My child is only 2, so I cannot claim to know what it's like to have a 10 1/2 year old daughter, but I was an avid reader at that age, reading things like Stephen King (I had to hide it :) and The Grapes of Wrath. I certainly did not appreciate my books being censored; in fact, any censored books were eventually read in secret. You've gotta know what all the fuss is about!!! So, I would let my 10 1/2 year old read this book. If you're super concerned about that one part, just use it as a good time for a discussion!!

I have read all the books. There's nothing graphic, and there's no swearing in them. In fact if you go to the book store to buy them, they are in the young adult section. I think it would be fine to let her read them.

I have read the first two books in the series and I would have no problem letting a 10 year old read these books. I have heard that the fourth book is a little more mature.

I have read all four books myself and I am now letting my 10 year old (boy) read them. They are a wonderful series and a cute love story. I think that the first three books are appropriate for a 10-year-old. Stephenie Meyer wrote the books for teens and young adults. I do not feel there is anything inapropriate. I would caution against the fourth book in the series. It is a little more graphic...they do wait till they get married however =) and a touch of violence. I've told my 10-year-old that he can't read that one until he's a little older. I suggest reading them yourself and you and your daughter will have something to bond over and talk about. =)

Hi - I have read the series. I will be 41 tomorrow. There is nothing really "bad" in them. If she is a mature 10-yr-old I think they would be ok. There are some intense emotional feelings going on that are typical high school age feelings that she may not understand until she is actually in that age frame. But if you saw the movie and thought it was ok thenI feel the books would be no problem also. Encourage her to ask you questions if she does not understand anything.
Hope this helps - J.

I know you have a lot of responses but here is one more...I would read the books first. I have only read the first 3, haven't started the 4th one yet. I like them,but I have to say it is a romance novel (yes, there are vampires and werewolves), but it all comes down to romance. She is a typical high school girl that is willing to give up EVERYTHING including her life to be with the boy she loves. The book goes into a lot more detail about how obsessed they are over each other. Although there is no sex in the first 3, it is definately talked about. You should probably read them first.

I do not think that its appropriate reading for a younger reader. I have read all four books in the series and was absolutely in love with them, but I am a thirty year old woman and I was having my heart flutter at some of the deep feelings that were described. It is a little too much for anyone under 13. Plus the last book is very graphic, with Bella and all the things that happen to her body. Honestly, the best way you can make a decision is to read them yourself. But be careful about allowing her to read any of it before you make a decision on all the books. They are very addicting and if you start reading you will want to finish the entire series. She would be disappointed if she only got to read one or two of the books! I encourage you to read them, they are wonderful :)

I have read all 4 books and I don't feel their is anything in appropriate for a mature 10 year old. However, there are some slight sexual undertones in the 3rd & 4th book. Nothing bad or that you wouldn't see in a PG13 movie. It all depends are how you personally feel about this type of exposure for your 10 year old. My son actually introduced the book series to me but he was 14 at the time. If you saw the movie that is abt the extent of the sexual overtones.

My son is 11, in 5th grade, a very mature reader (he has read all the Harry Potter books) and I have allowed him to read the first Twilight book. My niece, who is 18, told me that the third book is definitely not for kids, so I will not allow him to read that one but probably will read the 2nd. My husband watched the movie over the weekend and we won't allow him to see it...just too much teenage stuff visually we don't want to give in to him just yet. Hope that helps...good luck!

I love the books, so I recommend that you read them simply because you may also become a "Twilight Mom." They are very romantic books, and it's fun to get sucked into that world.

My 11 year old son read book one, and saw the movie, and really liked both. If he wants to, I'll let him read 2 and 3, but not 4 just yet because they do have sex. It's tastefully written and sort of subtle, but still. I don't want my 11 year old reading sex scenes just yet.

I love love love the books! My son is the same age as your daughter. I would let him read the first 3 but probably hold off on the 4th for a little while longer. There is some adult content in the 4th book. Stephanie did a really good job at keeping it PG or PG-13 but it may be a bit confusing to your daughter. She may not get what it is Stephanie was hinting at or why it happened that way. So unless you are ready to have a sex talk with her midway through the 4th book I would maybe save that one for later. But the first 3 should be fine.

I read all four. The last one has some subtle suggestion, but the characters who make love are married and they don't actually describe anything. It is very popular with middle schoolers. I might suggest you read the last one before your daughter, but the others I think are fine.

I've read them all as well. I like them for me and for older teens. Maybe someone in eighth grade or older. I'm also an elementary teacher and I couldn't BELIEVE that my fourth and fifth graders were at school reading them! I personally wouldn't let my daughter if she was that young, read beyond the first book.

It depends if you are ok with your 10 yo reading about Bella constantly trying to convince Edward to have sex with her BEFORE marriage. Bella see marriage as a bad thing. Jacob talks about imagining her naked. Edward rips her clothes off her to help while she's having her baby in the last published book. Bodies get decapitated, humans scream in terror and then agony while the Volturi herd them in like cattle and eat them in the second book. There are some intimacies described on their honeymoon more than I'm comfortable saying out loud but they don't name any body parts.

I'm sure there are other books that are better suited for your daughter's age right now. I'd save them for later but I'm the mom of a 16 month old and two 17 year olds so I can't completely relate.

Let me first say, as a 30 something, I have read and loved all 4 books. The movie was deplorable compared to the books, so if you liked the movie, you will love the books. They go very quickly and a lot of people read the whole series in less than a week, so for previewing purposes, it might not take as much as you think.

That being said. I would NOT let my 10 year old read them. Of course, you know your daughter better than anyone, so previewing them is the best option, but know that there is ALOT of sexual tension. Kudos to Stephanie Meyers for there not being any swearing or sex until the last book and after a marriage....but it's one of those books where the tension is so palpable that you don't need to read about the act. In addition, it boils down to a teenage girl being willing to sacrifice herself and her life for "the love of her life". Very romatic, yes...a good model for real tweens and teens, no. If she reads them, I would consider a serious talk about how this is a FANTASY and NOT how things happen in real life. Hope this gives you some insight. Follow your gut- mother's intuition is a very powerful thing.

Hmmm...I read them out of curiousity and was not impressed but that just goes to show they were not written for adults; the reading level is pretty low. So in that way, they are appropriate for younger readers. A couple themes I caught were:

1.) The lead character is very smart, independent, not described as super ultra pretty, and has parents who care about her. That is a positive message.
2.) For all her strength, this girl seems to rely far too much on this Edward guy to always rescue her.
3.) She also seems to think her parents are a bit dim and that she is able to make her own decisions. She is almost presented as the care giver to her parents.
4.) No the romance isn't overtly physical but it does describe emotions that are bit over-the-top even for the 16-18 yr olds they portray.

I considered all this and opted not to get the set for my 11 yr old niece. Didn't matter -- Someone else did. So maybe the best option is to read them with your daughter?

I have read all 4 books and believe that they are appropriate for her age. There isn't any profanity in the series and there isn't much sexual context until book four and even that is very PG-rated.
I coach gymnastics to younger girls and I know a few 11 year olds that have read the series. Hope this helps!

I am the mom of a 12 and 16 year old - also girls. I have been reading the series along with my 16 year old. I would say that the first two books are probably okay for a 10 year old. They are very clean and there is really nothing graphic in them. The third book gets a little more detailed as the relationship between Edward and Bella intensifies. It woud maybe be a little iffy for a 10 year old. I am part way through the 4th book and would say there is no way I would want a 10 year old to read it. It is quite graphic and I'm finding it a bit disturbing actually - so is my 16 year old. We talk about it quite a bit.

I read all four books and loved them. I would recommend reading them yourself first as you know your daughter best. Also, once you have read them you can answer any quesitons she has, etc. Some of the scenes are pretty intense, but it is basically an extreme high school romance. I think if you both read them it could be a nice bonding experience. I plan on letting my (2 year old) daughter read them in middle school or so.

Hi T. -

I read all four and really liked them. However, with that said, I probably would not let a 10 year old read them. It is a VERY intense relationship - obsessive. There is also violence. While it is a love story, it isn't really a healthy love (she wants to end her 'human' life to be with him forever). I would stick to some more age appropriate stories about young love.

I think they're fine for your daughter. There is some violence and budding sexuality, but it's very gradual and well-handled.

Hi there,
I've read all of the Twilight books (actually read them for a book club). I think they are probably too adult for a 10 1/2 year old. They are more suited to 16 years and up. There is a lot of violence and as the books go on, sex. These are not like the Harry Potter books, they are much darker and much more adult. You might try calling hte Children's dept of your local library to see if they have a suggestion for a book series that would interest your daughter but would be more age appropriate. Good luck!

I know you have gotten a lot of responses and I have not read them all so sorry if this is a repeat. I am 32 and read all four books in a week. I am now reading them a second time - I personally LOVE the books. So, my advice to you is read them first. I am not sure if I would let my 10 year old read them - I think the subject matter is to mature for a 10 year old. The last book by far is the most "adult". While there is not swearing or descriptive physical interaction - the story is still mature in nature. I think that younger children will have a very hard time understanding that this is fiction. People already are hounding the actor who plays Edward in the series thinking he is really like this fictional character. I confess, I am in love with Edward, but alas I am well aware he is only fiction. The other thing is the relationship between Bella and Edward is obsessive...not the best relationship to have in real life. When I was in high school I actually was in a very obsessive relationship that lasted several years - it was not healthy in any way. I actually struggle with the fact that I am drawn to this character considering my history. In the end you are the only one that can know what your daughter can and cannot handle.