Age suitability of canon

[siriusgeologist <lrcjestes@earthlink.net>]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, Queer as John <john at q...> 
wrote:
> pippin_999 <foxmoth at q...> said:
> 
> > BTW, is anyone out there writing slash they consider suitable for
> > seven year olds? 
> 
> Pippin, the HP books are not suitable for your average seven year 
old. I'll
> defer to a media specialist on exactly which age equivalencies 
they *are*
> suitable for.
> 

I really don't mean to be argumentative this week, but the HP 
released to date definitely *are* suitable for seven year olds.  I 
remember reading one interview that said JKR's 7 yo daughter was 
enjoying the books (can I say that here without having to look up 
the reference.)  They are grouped for 9-12 yos (I think) but there 
is nothing in SS, CoS, or PoA that is not suitable for a 7yo.  Kids 
who scare more easily might be scared by the Dementor's, but my 7yo 
was fine with them.  GoF is a bit different and I paraphrased some 
sections for him.  But the moral and ethical issues brought up by 
this series are ideal for mature kids of that age.

Additionally let me emphasize how few books there are that adult and 
children can read and equally enjoy.  There just aren't that many.  
Either the child is bored by stories that are too complex or the 
adult is bored by stories that are too simplistic.  

Just wanted to clarify that one of the reasons I am an HP fan is 
because they are suitable and fun for me and my kids to read (you 
know the whole family that reads together...etc.).  We need more 
books like this.

That said, I know they are getting darker and you bet I will read 
OoP before I let my (now 9yo...he was actually 6 when we read the 
first three, but 7 when GoF came out) child read it. 

Carole