[HPFGU-OTChatter] Age suitability of canon

[rvotaw at i-55.com]

Carole writes:

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

It depends on the seven year old.  Whether the issues are suitable for seven 
year olds is not the question.  I teach first grade, most of my students are 
seven.  None of them could come close to reading HP.  So, read it aloud, you 
say?  Tried that.  We didn't make it through a chapter.  They were clueless.  
The reading level is vastly above them, therefore the comprehension level is as 
well.  That doesn't mean that no seven year old can read it.  JKR's daughter 
was seven at the time of GoF.  She read it.  I'm sure I'd have read HP when I 
was seven (since by that time I'd finished everything else in the children's 
section of the library).  Unfortunately, though, it wasn't written yet.  I did 
read the Chronicles of Narnia when I was about six, I believe.  

My point is, HP is fine for an above average seven year old, one with a fourth 
grade or higher reading level.  For an average seven year old, maybe, with it 
being read aloud.  For a below average seven year old, not a chance. Been 
there, done that, doesn't work.

Richelle

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