Do you people think that The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins is suitable for a girl of 12?
Do you people think that The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins is suitable for a girl of 12?
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Do you people think that The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins is suitable for a girl of 12?
Only if SHE chooses it without having it pushed on her. Pushing a classic of ANY kind on a kid is a disservice.
I have suggested it and I will see what she says.
@Chris, I agree! I never read any of my assigned reading. I read some later in life, but I’m the type to read what I want, when I want. That said, my son (who’s not a voracious reader) has recommended I read his favorite assigned reading for an AP Lit class. Sidhartha by Herman Hesse, A good man is hard to find by Flannery O’Connor and Night by Elie Wiesel. He forced me to read In Cold blood by Capote and it was a struggle as I don’t usually read true crime. He says to me “Mom, you’re a reader and you don’t read anything I recommend!” He also said “Don’t bother with the Cucible, it sucked. ?♀️
Also, I was assigned Catcher in the Rye and had No desire, then I did a few years ago. Still hated it ?♀️
@Stacey, I did not care for “The Crucible” when I first read it, but I have thoroughly enjoyed several stage productions of the play (especially a Broadway production with Liam Neeson as John Proctor and Laura Linney as his wife.)
@Stacey I also do not like Catcher in the Rye
@Lorrie I’m sure. The witch trials totally interest me. Is Miller’s play challenging to read?
Stacey Varriano, I don’t think so. It’s just flat without the voices bringing it to life. I’d see even a high school production of it before reading it again. Reading it, though, allows you the time to think about how Miller was really talking about the “red scare” and McCarthy-ism of 50s. It speaks, too, to the fear and paranoia stirred up by politics in 2019.
No
why not?
Personally, I found the classics are harder to read and now that I am a seasoned reader and have lots of time to devote to my reading, I can enjoy them. I would reconsider and perhaps choose something a little lighter to start her off with. However that being said, I do agree with Chris Campbell, only if she chooses it.
thanks
I’d say yes. The language is easy and modern (compared to, say, Dickens), there are no long-winded descriptions, but lots of humour. There’s a detective plotline and a romantic one.
I didn’t start reading Dickens until I was 50 or so
Dickens and Collins were contemporaries and good friends. The key to Dickens is to read his books as if they are plays adapted to novel form. The “settings” reflect this. He was very much into the theater.
@Chris Cool! But comparing the language – Collins reads as way more modern.
Yes, I think Collins just had a better command of language! He probably spoke more clearly, too.
oose for her- she has a reading age way beyond her actual age
I’d say it’s ok.
thanks- I try to avoid anything with “language” or nudity when I choose books for her,but she does have a reading age way beyond her actual age
@Alison This one does not have any language or nudity that would offend.
Yes.
I read it around that age and thoroughly enjoyed it.
thanks Gretta
If you like Wilkie Collins then I would recommend The Woman in White instead of Moonstone. It’s a quicker pace with strong female characters and a great mystery. The multiple narrators make it more interesting for younger readers too. It’s lovely you’re asking for advice to encourage her. X
My recommendation to young readers (and I have taught a lot of them over the past 40 years) is to read the first page and if you don’t like it, put it down immediately and find another book. If you do like it, reading that book will never be dull or hard work – the story will read itself to you. I also had a large collection of TOP TEN YALSA BOOKS for my students to choose from – and they (often “non-readers”*) loved them. *Frequent remark: “I haven’t ever read a complete book in my life until I had your class.” http://www.ala.org/yalsa/teenstopten%5D
The YALSA lists are a great resource! In fact, the American Library Association website can lead you to all kinds of interesting resources.
It was required reading many moons ago for Advanced 8th grade English, 13-14 year olds…
If she wants to read it, sure. Though you might want to explain the changed attitudes toward drugs and Indian people.
Totally! I’ve read it twice and I think it’s suited for a 12 year old.