'https://' : 'http://') + 'www.lightboxcdn.com/vendor/7d157562-fcf8-41c7-a361-88eb2165c02b/lightbox_inline.js?mb=' + (new Date().getTime()); Sex in the Media This article is very wrong about the age recommendations for Harry Potter books and movies. People in our family have died and my parents have sat him down and explained exactly what that means. Parent of a 10 and 12-year-old written by TubinReuben July 15, 2014 Several times throughout Cursed Child, Harry has been called "savior of the wizarding world", it is unknown whether this is a given title or an alias that has been given to Harry in his older age. I would periodically ask her questions to make sure that she understood some of the chapters and was available to answer her questions. I don't believe that is true because most teens grew up with it and any teens that want/wanted to read it have and those who didn't haven't and they won't. The Prisoner of Azkaban: (probably my favourite of the entire series, or at least close second to the finale, but it does have characters in peril, it's all very dark, and it has some thematic elements. Parent of a 6, 6, 9, 13, 14, and 15-year-old written by craftygirl202 November 24, 2013 I highly doubt this is a coincidence as they started when he began reading the books. Cookie Settings Senior Parenting Editor | Mom of one They're the equivalent of PG-13 rated material, and are aimed at an audience of adolescents/young adults. Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts My 7 year old daughter has read HP 1 - 6 and is currently reading 7. It is far better, in my opinion, to show them they needn't be afraid, and teach them the skills they need to face problems. those who previously disliked reading. It really just depends on how you or your kid interprets books. Harry Potter in fact is much more violent and unsuitable for a young age than the Percy Jackson series is. Christian reading guide to Harry Potter: Starting Harry Potter at age 6 is a bit too young. Philosopher's stone: Rated PG, recommended age 9+ Learn MoreAbout Us Flag as inappropriate  Alcohol, Drugs, Smoking Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts Annual Report At the time, the book series did not hold a lot of interest, so I didn't continue. })(); Flag as inappropriate  So, I think for a more mature child, they could start 'Harry Potter' At around age 6-8 and for the more innocent (?) Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts Teen, 13 years old written by Emmyy January 30, 2017 The movies are primarily PG-13. Parent of a 10 and 12-year-old written by TubinReuben July 15, 2014 I started to read Harry Potter when I was 5 , and that's when I think you should start But we also developed a ritual to go to every opening night of the last four movies. He started reading on his own when he was about 2 and at six and in first grade he is reading at a fourth grade reading level but my parents always sit down with him and talk about what he's reading. Harry Potter readability/lexical rating/ATOS level: 15 years of age + as I grew up more books were released and I read them accordingly. Coronavirus Support Flag as inappropriate  I'm sorry to say but instead of trying to eliminate an outside reason for your children being mean perhaps you as a parent should teach them that it's wrong. Four is absurdly young, and you should really be ashamed of yourself. var e = document.createElement('script'); e.async = true; Prisoner of Azkaban, PG/PG-13, 10+ Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts Philosopher's stone: Rated PG, recommended age 9+ Kid, 9 years old October 29, 2019 I have reread all the books several times and each time I understood them a little more. My family has that rule, and it has worked out famously for us. Teen, 13 years old written by Saera22 May 10, 2018 Here's what I think: Parents and teachers both tend to overestimate children's ability to cope with mean-spiritedness in books and movies. Most Discussed Then watch the movies together! Maria O Alvarez My grandpa was the one who convinced me to by the first book in December. It had most violence in the 4+ books. Clearly the boys picked up on that! Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts Kid, 10 years old February 23, 2014 In short: Harry Potter when you look at the ALA's detailed content analysis, ranks older than The Hunger Games in many areas of content suitability, and equals it overall. My parent's don't push my brother to read anything. recommended age 12+ but that's the beauty of the book. At the absolute youngest, Harry Potter is for the 9/10 crowd. It's a young adult series, which means that there are concepts that some kids won't understand, like how Voldemort's yearning for power destroyed him, and the innocent falling victim to death, and yes, there is a LOT of violence in 5-7, so I wouldn't reccomend to younger kids. I did watch all the movies with my dad, though. My son started reading HP series at age 9. Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts I was a Harry Potter fan at age: 9 and I’m still OBSESSED. I agree with your comment that "Scariness is hardly the only reason to reserve a book". I’m not sure how your kid responds to books like Harry Potter but I started reading Harry Potter when I was nearly 8 and I enjoyed and finished all of them in that year First let me start this off by saying I love Harry Potter!!!! Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts They didn't see him as Harry because although they read the book, and they liked it... they didn't really get it. Flag as inappropriate  But hey, I read the whole Hunger Games series at 10. Frannie Ucciferri Harry rides a Nimus 2000. Kid, 9 years old July 10, 2014 Our Partners Flag as inappropriate  I am going to be 11 in a few days and I have watched and loved all of the HP movies. Harry rides a Nimus 2000. Flag as inappropriate  He started reading on his own when he was about 2 and at six and in first grade he is reading at a fourth grade reading level but my parents always sit down with him and talk about what he's reading. Email Common Sense Education It's quite sad and dramatic, so, once more, know your child.) recommended age 12+ Harry Potter in fact is much more violent and unsuitable for a young age than the Percy Jackson series is. I started to read Harry Potter when I was 5 , and that's when I think you should start Flag as inappropriate  Maybe the 6 and 7 book may be qualified as a young adult book but I think it’s quite ridiculous that people ages 15/30 should read the books Media and Body Image Get InvolvedDonate Browse Advice Flag as inappropriate  Betsy Bozdech he prefers the book. Waiting... waiting... waiting... And watch it with them. I read them all through (giving appropriate space for them to come out of course). We gave her lots of TLC and she said she loves the book and doesn't want to stop reading it, but suggested she not read it before bed anymore. We strictly monitor what he reads and watches because frightening books/movies affect him terribly. and progress slowly through it. This book has a darker tone to it, as the entire school is in peril and Harry hears a voice in the wall talking about killing (turns out to be the Basilisk). They learn without trying, without even meaning to, and in fact without being able to help it. Who, for the 100th time, it's so not aimed at. When did this culture of coddling children begin? Our Partners Kid, 12 years old August 10, 2013 Twitter Maria O Alvarez I don't want to tell people how to raise their kids but it's sort of the parent's fault for not sitting down with their children and explaining what is happening in the story and how they need to act. Teen, 14 years old written by AldultishGambino February 25, 2018 Kid, 12 years old August 10, 2013 Flag as inappropriate  My 7 year old daughter has read HP 1 - 6 and is currently reading 7. Of course, once you get to Order of The Phoenix, you have to be more mature to handle all the violence. I read the third-sixth ones when I was 7, and the last book when I was 8. Flag as inappropriate  }, 500); Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts Media and Body Image Catching Fire: Rated PG-13 A friend who teaches at an elementary school for gifted children agrees. I don’t think you should let your child start this series, and especially not watch the movies, until they are about 8, whether they are mature for their age or not. However these books are awasome, I read them all when I was 11. Kid, 11 years old December 7, 2016 Flag as inappropriate  Her behaviour afterwards certainly fits the circumstances. 3 counts of violence-100% I have read HP series numerous times myself, so am quite familiar with the content of the books. Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts Flag as inappropriate  Adult written by mandeebobandee November 1, 2013 If you think your child is sensitive then wait a year. Readability: 16 years of age + Executive Editor, Ratings & Reviews | Mom of two A really good mystery and is exciting but, not scary. My library issues the following classifications for the Harry Potter series: Colder or more suppressed emotional response is not better. Teen, 13 years old written by Tildathetimelord March 6, 2013 Please stop underestimating us!!! It was a good idea to start young when they were released because you had to wait 1 - 3 years for the next book. Flag as inappropriate  Kid, 11 years old February 16, 2013 He was so traumatized that he was crying and throwing up in the mornings not wanting to go to school. At 11.5yrs old, I told him he can watch #4 and 5. he's only watched #4 once. Flag as inappropriate  There was nothing that I found particuarly disturbing and if I didn't understand it, i definitely did by the 10th time 'round. I heart all of the books! Celebrity Influence on Kids Parent of a 6, 6, 9, 13, 14, and 15-year-old written by craftygirl202 November 24, 2013 Flag as inappropriate  Follow Common Sense Media I agree with your comment that "Scariness is hardly the only reason to reserve a book". Here's a guideline: the Harry Potter series average classification, according to the ALA and most libraries, is YA (Young Adult). To a young elementary schooler, these adventure books are just that: a seven-year-long adventure. Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts This series has a potential unsuitability rating of anywhere from 24/50 to 26/50, meaning suitable ratings of either YA or E-YA, and a suitable equivalent film rating of PG-13 Avoid meanness and crassness in movies and books, and you will have a sweeter, more fun, and more confident child than most. And goodness, 9- and 10-year-olds should not be reading the darkest scene in the series (end of Goblet of Fire - Voldemort's terribly dark "resurrection"). Careers This helps to explain why they were so insensitive to another kid's pain. Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts I'm in News and Media Literacy Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century.We're a nonprofit. I do agree that the books get darker as the series goes on, but, in my opinion, the age range for each book really just depends on how well the kid can handle scariness and darkness. recommended age 12+ Waiting... waiting... waiting... Book did not seem to bother him in terms of scariness, but I only allowed movies 1-3 for him to view at the time and he viewed it repeatedly. In short: Harry Potter when you look at the ALA's detailed content analysis, ranks older than The Hunger Games in many areas of content suitability, and equals it overall. Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts He had nightmares twice now. Kid, 9 years old May 3, 2014 When I read this my mom and I took turns reading it and by the end of the book I could read without help. Then watch the movies together! These books and their movies-- all of them-- can, in my opinion, be handled by a mature ten-year-old. Order of the Phoenix, PG-13, 11+ He received the series for Christmas and has already read books 1-4. But hey, I read the whole Hunger Games series at 10. Consider enjoying Jim Dale's audiobooks as a family: a great way to keep the magic alive. For centuries, there wasn't even such a thing as children's literature. Flag as inappropriate  I have reread all the books several times and each time I understood them a little more. Rowling is really a master of hidden meanings and humor that slips right over the head of the younger section of her audience. Teen, 16 years old written by saibhandari August 24, 2013 If that still leaves you unsure then here are my age recommendations for each book. Order of the Phoenix: Rated PG-13 Yea. For centuries, there wasn't even such a thing as children's literature. Consider enjoying Jim Dale's audiobooks as a family: a great way to keep the magic alive. Kid, 11 years old February 16, 2013 Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts Snow white's stepmother tried to eat her heart, Cinderella is abused, and Rapunzel was abducted. Although parents giving it to their little kids may be pleased to see how interested their children are in reading, or how enthusiastic their children are about the very important (and ultimately positive) social and spiritual messages in the HP series, their kids are not in a great position. - A Fellow Parent Parents could read the book at the same time as their child to help them. I would like to say I am 19 and I may not have my own kids but I do have a brother that is six and many younger cousins and I have been a nanny for a while. Please stop underestimating us!!! Avoid meanness and crassness in movies and books, and you will have a sweeter, more fun, and more confident child than most. One book I have read that my daughter actually loved is called Libellus de Numeros which is part of the Magicae Mathematica series by author Jim West. Parent of a 7-year-old written by H276558 May 30, 2016 Expose your child to this series at an early age, and you won't regret it. I don't believe that is true because most teens grew up with it and any teens that want/wanted to read it have and those who didn't haven't and they won't. Children always learn from what they witness, even if they seem untouched. Thanks RhetCultureMom for bringing some good thought to this discussion. Vice President, Common Sense Latino | Mom of two I really agree with what RhetCultureMom said about teens being pushed out of the novels (the Harry Potter novels speak grittily about the coming of age and the loss of innocence that all teens endure) due the increasing stigma that these are "children's books" when they just don't resemble them at all. We highly agreed! Waiting... waiting... waiting... :) So I read 1 and 2 when I was eight and my parents didn’t allow me to read or watch the rest but naughty me did it anyway and I was completely fine. Community guidelines Sex in the Media When I first read the books, the majority of the more mature stuff went over my head and I came to appreciate it on later run-throughs of the series. They are ready to laugh at themselves (and everybody else), but they need something pure, and they deserve it. Sign in Privacy Program Quite frankly, however, I believe that these reviews and blog posts should be thought of as guidelines. They don't even really suggest, they take him to the bookstore and the library and he chooses what he wants (within reason if he were to pick out a sex book or something then I'm sure that wouldn't be purchased). On principle, I wouldn't hasten to allow any 9 year old watch Deathly Hallows but I don't think I am a bad parent for making the decision to let her watch it. Flag as inappropriate  I still don't like watching some scenes ( Ron getting poisoned, sectumsempra ) but was not allowed to watch these scenes until recently but that didn't spoil the rest of the movies for me at all. I read them at a similar age. I recommend encouraging her to read it, or re-read it later. Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; Executive Editor, Ratings & Reviews | Mom of two I have read books like The 5th Wave, Hunger Games and Divergent, so Harry Potter didn't bother me at the age of seven, but know your child. Flag as inappropriate  Movies (if movies struggled to maintain their classification, both ratings will be included EX. Adult written by scouserquinn December 8, 2019 7 counts of violence (moderate or above)-100% of the series I useally read for a LONG time at night so :/. http://www.magicaemathematica.com Just because your young child can read the words doesn't mean their brains are able to conceptually understand the meanings being expressed. Order of the Phoenix, PG-13, 11+ That's what the Harry Potter books are all about. Teen, 16 years old written by dcasey98 July 1, 2015 I can tell he is enthralled by the books and he says he is not scared by them but his sleep patterns speak for themselves. Wide Open School Harry Potter bares absolutely no resemblance to the simple, sweet stories of Cinderella and Rapunzel, and it's absolutely disrespectful and patronizing to the series, it's intended audience, and it's themes that you think they are. Deathly Hallows Part One: 9+ This "advice" make teens look like scaredy-cat wimps who can't handle just a bit of gore. Finished this year and now am officially part of the fandom that lived.... My mom JUST let me read the series last year. They can be grim and dark, but Harry Potter is not a children's book! I agree with your comment that "Scariness is hardly the only reason to reserve a book". I started reading the 'Harry Potter' Serise when I was around 5. Some can handle it earlier, others later. Our Partners I think, as usual common sense is a few years on the safe side. Internet Basics Goblet of Fire, PG-13, 12+ While children should have guidance on the books, I don't believe they should be banned. Screen Time Editorial Director | Mom of two You're not supposed to let a 7 year old run through all of these books in one go. Flag as inappropriate  4 to 6- 9+ Flag as inappropriate  I have read HP series numerous times myself, so am quite familiar with the content of the books. He started reading on his own when he was about 2 and at six and in first grade he is reading at a fourth grade reading level but my parents always sit down with him and talk about what he's reading. So that concludes my long (okay, rambling) review of the Harry Potter series. Kid, 9 years old October 29, 2019 Flag as inappropriate  I became a VERY big Harry potter fan around the age of 11, and still love every single one of them! He begged me to start reading Harry Potter early last year but I would not let him. It might unnerve little ones. Avoid meanness and crassness in movies and books, and you will have a sweeter, more fun, and more confident child than most. Flag as inappropriate  I'm convinced that if you start too young (e.i. Kid, 12 years old May 26, 2014 Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts Parent of a 7-year-old written by H276558 May 30, 2016 She has only watched movie #1 and has not asked to watch others, which is ok by us. This article is very wrong about the age recommendations for Harry Potter books and movies. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts MY parents never had a problem except for the movies, and I saw 1,2,3,and 4 and then once I turned 12 they let me. HP is worth saving for adolescents (or middle schoolers, seeing adolescence on the horizon and needing a friend in HP, to accompany them into it). I started at 10yr old and finished at 16. You'll have a chance to add more kids later.Have an account? This is due to the fact that Daniel Radcliffe was allergic to the contact lenses. Browse Advice I have had other parents judge me harshly because I let her watch them with me but she is not afraid, she doesn't have nightmares, and she understands that it's a part of this amazing story. Maria O Alvarez It's more advanced than most YA, it's a YA series to begin with, it portrays the lives of teenagers dealing with violent and sometimes adult situations and has never been for little kids...this isn't Roald Dahl. Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts It was easy to relate to a hero that was close to my own age, and at age 10, you could fantasize about your own Hogwarts letter coming when you turned 11 (though it never happened, much to our disappointment). Adult written by Julia from Sweden October 20, 2013 But she is reading at a much slower pace, and there are finer points she misses since some of the concept is quite advanced. Overall, I believe that it's dependent on the child, not necessarily on their ability to read it but to understand it and whether they have the parents or older siblings to help them understand or the life experiences to understand. Special Needs It's recommended for kids 12+, with a peripheral age range that extends down to 10. I started them when I was 9 or 10 I can't remember You will be sad when this movie is over. Join as an Educator Flag as inappropriate  I don't this is true for all kids. Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts Meanwhile, little kids' innocence is worth protecting. The Sorcerer's Stone: 7+ It's great to start the series at about age 12-13 (or perhaps age 11, Harry's age when the series begins?) The later four are a perfect bridge from children's book to more adult books. Associate Managing Editor | Kid at heart Flag as inappropriate  I recommend encouraging her to read it, or re-read it later. Gaming It wasn't too scary for me. Careers However, my freshman year of high school, my friend convinced me to read them. Flag as inappropriate  she just finished book 7 and now wants to start reading the series again from book 1! Kid, 11 years old February 16, 2013 var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; Teen, 13 years old written by writerreader December 28, 2015 If you have a sensitive child who bursts into uncontrollable tears when they see a dead bird then it probably wouldnt be wise to let them read the last few books, but on the other hand if your child is mature and strong enough to deal with life and death etc etc then it should be no problem. I say that the first two Harry Potters are suitable for 7 and over, and if your child wants a bit darker, break the PG-13 rule for this franchise. Then, after attending the seventh book release party that summer, I decided that I would read the entire series. Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts Flag as inappropriate  Tales of Beedle the Bard: N-YA, 11+ Facebook window.setTimeout(function() { You will be sad when this movie is over. I was really surprised at how she has handled all of the things that I would have been scared of at her age. In regards to the movies, we watched the first 3 and will not watch any of the others until he is older as they get quite a bit scarier after the third one. Back to School Kid, 12 years old May 26, 2014 By the end of the school year one of the boys was singled out and bullied by the others. I have had other parents judge me harshly because I let her watch them with me but she is not afraid, she doesn't have nightmares, and she understands that it's a part of this amazing story. However, they are only adaptations: good for entertainment, not much in them to interpret and think about. for sitautions she glosses over, I assume it's too advanced for her to understand nor care to understand, which is ok. Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts I read the whole Harry Potter series when I was 7-8. Flag as inappropriate  Deathly Hallows Part One: 9+ Colder or more suppressed emotional response is not better. It really just depends on how you or your kid interprets books. Harry Potter theme parks/attractions/events: While most are recommended for Tweens/Teens+, some are recommended for teens/adults or adults only. It might unnerve little ones. Movies (if movies struggled to maintain their classification, both ratings will be included EX. Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts Flag as inappropriate  She was completely fine with this! Sign in or sign up to share your thoughts I became a Harry Potter fan when a seven-year-old emotionally disturbed and academically gifted student was reading book two. Appropriate age for Harry Potter series: Start Book 1 (Sorcerer's Stone) sometime around 11-13 years old, as a read-aloud book. But I think it's good for children to learn that in the real world, there really are some Bellatrix Lestranges and Tom Riddles. I started at 10yr old and finished at 16. Prisoner of Azkaban: N-YA (New-Young Adult) for moderate violence and menace, moderate thematic material, and some mild language-all involving teens We have no plans to move on to the other books at this young age, While it may be ideal to have let him wait until he was 11 to start the series, like I was, there is so much Harry Potter floating around in pop culture, on TV, in conversations, in his Lego books, that he was becoming QUITE curious about it and I feel if I left it many more years he would have known the story long before ever lifting a page of the book.