Literature for children. What should we check?
By marguicha
@marguicha (216369)
Chile
June 21, 2016 9:21pm CST
I was just answering a post about Inferno by Dan Brown and telling that I had taken it away from Vicente until I read it.
One of the friends here answered that there was nothing "naughty" in it so that a 12 year old could read it.
I have had a lifelong relation with language and literature and I´m a writer in my native tongue. I have also been a professor at the university in literature and I have taught at workshops for years.
I don´t say this just because. I say it because I don´t think that a naughty book should necesarily be banned or a goody book should be read by children.
What is important to me is will they understand it? And if they do, will the reading enhance their universe in a good way?
Dan Brown chose that title because of Dante´s Inferno, I suppose. But maybe not. I haven´t read it yet. If he did, then it is a grown up´s book as the Divina Commedia is for grown ups (and very boring for children, by the way).
7 people like this
7 responses
@LadyDuck (460403)
• Switzerland
22 Jun 16
The book is a very good book, but I do not believe that a 12 years old can understand it. There is a reference to a painting of the Inferno as described by Dante in the book and from this the book gets the title. I loved this book and I plan to read it again soon because I am sure I missed some details.
2 people like this
@marguicha (216369)
• Chile
22 Jun 16
I´m sure that it is a good book for grown ups as the other Dan Brown´s books. But I don´t think that a 12 year old should have images of Dante´s Inferno. I don´t mind talking about hell or the lack of it with my grandson, but only if he brings up the subject.
2 people like this
@marguicha (216369)
• Chile
22 Jun 16
@LadyDuck I studied the Quijote at school at that age too. Fortunatly, I also studied literature at the university and had a seminar on El Quijote. At 11 years of age you cannot understand some things. And you don´t want to understand them either.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (460403)
• Switzerland
22 Jun 16
@marguicha Well, we studied the Divina Commedia and the Inferno in school in Italy when I was 11 years old.
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@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
23 Jun 16
@marguicha
Yes as some books are not appropriate for a child.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (216369)
• Chile
23 Jun 16
@Marcyaz And children are different too. That´s why parents must know their children and guide them.
@marguicha (216369)
• Chile
22 Jun 16
Dr Seuss is for all ages
. But my grandson is 12 and I was refering to Inferno by Dan Brown.
. But my grandson is 12 and I was refering to Inferno by Dan Brown.
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
22 Jun 16
I was reading quite grown up stuff in my youth - I read Harold Robbins when I was about 13
1 person likes this
@marguicha (216369)
• Chile
22 Jun 16
I read Thomas Mann at that age, but it depends.
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@marguicha (216369)
• Chile
22 Jun 16
@arthurchappell There are many book that I read when I was too young. Fortunatly I studied literature at the university and read again many of those books.
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
22 Jun 16
@marguicha I read Mann at university and really enjoyed his work
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7523)
• Canada
22 Jun 16
We had an easier time guiding our children's reading choices because they were homeschooled. It's a little more difficult with the youngest though because of the access to the Internet. That has become more of an issue. He is the only school age child because he is quite a bit younger than the others. They're adults and make their own choices (mostly healthy ones from what I can see).
1 person likes this
@marguicha (216369)
• Chile
22 Jun 16
I sent both of my daughters to school, but was there to guide them and help them. And they had a miximum time of TV each day. I would not let them watch TV for hours. And I would not let my granchildren play with the tablet all day either. My youngest granddaughter has destroyed 2 tablets and I just bought one for myself on this last birthday.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (216369)
• Chile
22 Jun 16
@koopharper I understand that now woman work more outside their homes. But there should be a way to keep children out of trouble.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7523)
• Canada
22 Jun 16
@marguicha Unfortunately a lot of people send their kids to school and seem to think that's all there is to raising them.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (216369)
• Chile
22 Jun 16
I remember that even with books for small children, I would check when my daughters were small. There was a problem of vocabulary to check too.
1 person likes this
@just4him (308637)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jun 16
@marguicha If they don't understand what they are reading, it's best to wait until they do.
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@JESSY3236 (19057)
• United States
23 Jun 16
I have listened to Dan Brown's Inferno. He did chose the title because of Dante's Inferno. I don't think a 12 year old should read it. Unless he has read Dante's Inferno.
