Hi everyone,
I’m considering giving my 13-year-old niece IT by Stephen King. She’s a big reader and a fan of Percy Jackson and The Lord of the Rings, so she’s comfortable with long books, fantasy, and darker themes.
That said, I know IT is on a very different level—intense horror, graphic violence, and some heavy subject matter involving kids. She’s fairly mature for her age, but I’m torn between trusting her reading level and being cautious about the content.
For those familiar with the book, do you think 13 is too young despite her tastes? Would you recommend waiting, or is it okay with some guidance or content warnings?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
by NurseHoy
4 Comments
There’s a particular moment in IT that everyone responding will reference and probably takes it out of 13 year old girl territory.
That said I was reading Stephen King when I was 13 and it never did me any harm!
I wouldn’t do that book. If I remember correctly, there’s an orgy scene in it.
Maybe try Darcy Coates for horror. She’s cozy horror.
I read IT at 13 but I don’t think it’s a good idea to gift it to a 13 year old. The Eye of the Dragon sounds right up her alley though! It was specifically written for readers her age. I read it recently and enjoyed it very much
Has she expressed an interest in horror? The titles you mention are a *far* cry from IT. It tried reading IT as a 20-something and struggled with how dark it is. I don’t have plans to finish it. No shade to anyone who has read it, but I couldn’t do it. Unless your niece *wants* to read horror, I would avoid it as a genre, especially King.
T. Kingfisher writes compelling horror that is much tamer (more cosmic and abstract), as does Darcy Coates. Shirley Jackson may also be a good starting point, or even the OG, Frankenstein.