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What youngest age would you suggest for J.R.R. Tolkien books?
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My ds10 has been a very advanced voracious reader since age 7.
Some of the books he has read has included books from the Bible, all of the Narnia series, all of Anne of Green Gables, Black Beauty, Pilgrim’s Progress for younger readers, Railway Children, Viking Quest series, Ordinary Princess, numerous history books, and The Hobbitt. I am not sure how I choose the Hobbitt after Narnia was finished, but I did. He loved reading it, has recited many passages from it, tells us all about it, and has asked for Hobbitt and Lord of the Ring legos ever since. I did explain the allegory behind the Narnia series and Hobbitt book that relates back to scripture. He has never seen the movie, and probably won’t until he is much older.
This ds10 is begging for the Lord of the Rings. I really think of the series as being more for high school. I suppose though that the Hobbitt is as well. His ability to read it is not an issue. The content is my concern. I have not read the series myself, but did see the movies a decade ago.
So what do you think? Would you let your 10 year old read the Lord of the Ring’s books? I promised him that I would ask you fine ladies!
I realize ultimately I have to decide; I would love though some opinions other than my own. I plan on asking DH as well.Thank you!
We did read those out loud at this age. Some of my boys weren’t much older than that when they wanted to read them for themselves.
My DC are currently reading them at 11 and 9yo. They are for their free reading time. I don’t see my 9yo getting through the series, but I’m not going to stop him if he does. lol
As far as content, I think reading it is less graphic than the movies are. Maybe read through some of it on your own before deciding?
I read these books when I was 10, and reread them every year until I entered collage. Although the movies are well done, they do deviate from the original storyline and I believe overdramatize the battle scenes and pander to today’s social agenda. I have a hard time watching the movies because of the graphic violence and some of the loss of depth that added meaning to the story. I wouldn’t let my children watch the movies at 10, but I would certainly allow them to read it.
My 10ds just finished the entire series. He is like your son–all about Lego Lord of the Rings now! We actually are letting him watch the movies. Some may disagree with this, and that’s fine. He approached us first about the movies, and we insisted he read the books first. After each book, Daddy sat down and watched the movies with him. It’s been a special time for both of them. Since he finished Return of the King this week, he gets to finish the movie series on Sunday.
Dd8 wasn’t interested at all in the books or movies at first, but because of her brother’s excitement, she felt like she was left out of something great. She started The Hobbit this week.
I personally don’t think age is as much the deciding factor in determining when a child should read this series; I think reading ability and maturity level are. Both my children read well above grade level and have for a long time. And they understand the difference between fantasy and reality and can make those spiritual connections on their own. If you feel your son is ready at 8 or 10 or 15, that’s entirely up to you. 😉
We read The Hobbit to everyone including the youngest at 3. DD13 has read them all multiple times and is working on The Sillmarillion (sp?). DS10 has read the first LOTR book. DD13 has seen all of the movies and ds10 has seen both Hobbits and the first LOTR. We have the rule that they must read the books first. Both the books and movies are faves with my kids. DD6 and DS4 haven’t seen any of the movies, of course. Agreeing with Lindsey on age and maturity issue.
I might stun everyone by confessing that I let all my children watch the Lord of the Rings movies . . . as soon as we read aloud the books . . . even though one of my children was only about 4 or 5 at the time we saw the first one. 🙂 I may be letting all my geekiness show, but I really think these stories are good enough that they are worth seeing and hearing and reading, regardless. Of course, we have boys who aren’t terribly sensitive. I’m actually the funny one—I do NOT watch any Shelob scenes. Ever. The kids know I will be leaving the room and they holler at me when they are over. (Watching the Hobbit spider sceines was tougher, as we were in the theater . . . I just put my jacket on my head. LOL) I am with CS Lewis on this one–how will children know that evil can be overcome if we don’t allow them the stories? We gambled that my youngest would be fine–and he was. He actually didn’t even really “process” scenes he didn’t like, like the heads catapulted over the wall etc. until he was older. (We watch these and Narnia movies a LOT.) It’s a call to be made based on the sensitivity of each child—but I can testify that some of our children are up for the challenge. I have had three “warriors” sent to my home, and I think these sorts of stories are part of our bringing them up to do what the Lord wants them to do.
lol, bookworm. i have never watched the shelob scenes either:) i just close my eyes and my husband tells me when they are over! even at the theater seeing the hobbit! these are probably the most favorite movies my husband and i watch together because they are so NOT just “boy” or “girl” movies:)and they are SO GOOD! we have watched them over and over together…and read the books on long car rides! yes, the movies are way more graphic and the story is changed some, but i think both are excellent. I cannot wait to share them with my children, but that being said, having 4&5 year old sensitive girls who made us turn off Mulan because it was “too scary” i cannot imagine letting them see Lord of the Rings until they are MUCH MUCH older:) they would have such nightmares. so, yes, i think it totally depends on the child!
I can’t watch SHELOB either! I agree Bookworm. My ds4 and dd6 are MUCH more sensitive than my older kids. However both will watch The Hobbit this year I expect. They’ve heard the story and will be fine. I also agree with bookworm’s Lewis quote totally!
I read The Hobbit and LoTR around that age- it was fuel for the fire of my soul- no problems here!
I let my older boys read it around the same age- no problems. They were young teens when the movies came out and I felt the same way some have expressed about the visual depiction of the violence so I was very careful allowing them to view the movies. We watched it on DVD not in the theater and whenever there was a scene I felt was a bit much I would get up, walk in front of the screen, open or close the curtains on the window, or otherwise distract and break the mood.
Now, my younger kids are a different story. They also get scared at Disney movies and we have nightmares, etc. While we are working on overcoming the fearfulness, I definately don’t see any movies like the Hobbit or LoTR in by the time they are 10ish. Part of our working on the fearfulness is reading fairy tales and listening to them on audiobook in the car. So far so good- but have a long way to go!
My 6yo DS has read the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. He saw my DH reading them, and we already had a few of the Lego sets (DH is a Lego collector) so DS6 decided to read them as well. I didn’t seriously think he’d get through them, so I didn’t think much about it. I think he has gone through the series a couple of times, in fact. My trouble is that now he thinks all other books are ‘boring’ and fights me when I try to assign him literature for school. LOL.
I’m not sure at what point we’ll watch the movies. DS6 could probably handle them, but DD8 is highly sensitive and remembers everything and has nightmares weeks later about something she has seen.
I read this post and thought that I would give an opinion from another perspective. We all have different convictions etc. 🙂 I have seen the LOTR movies when I was younger and before my relationship with the Lord. I wouldn’t watch them now nor would I allow my children to watch them due to the graphic violence, etc. I was also a little leary of Narnia for reasons concerning witch craft. We have seen the Narnia movies and read the books and as is the case so many times the books differ significantly from the movies. Moral connections are taken out, agenda is added, etc. I was assured by a friend that such is the case with LOTR vs. the books they were based on. Whether this is the case I cannot say as I have yet to read the books. I will definitely be reading them before I allow my children to… if your concern with your child not being ready mature wise is because of the content I have been told that they are not like the movies. I would suggest you read them first. 🙂
Thank you for all of the perspectives and comments. It is helping me think it through. I think pre-reading the Fellowship of the Rings would be a good place to start. He loved the Hobbit and Tolkien’s writing and wants another boy book. It helps to know that it isn’t violent like the movies. I loved Narnia as a kid and was disappointed with the movies. It sounds like it might be similar. Tolkien is an exceptional writer; I just wanted to know if it was too heavy for 10. Well, I can read it and find out.
I do think books are different to read than watch in a movie. Our kids have had so little media exposure I know they wouldn’t like it. The book though he is jumping up and down and begging for.
Thank you!
I realize ultimately I have to decide; I would love though some opinions other than my own. I plan on asking DH as well.
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