Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Harry Potter?

My DS6 just devoured book one and will start number two today. When does the series get dark, and how dark?

I thought that Book IV was a turning point. A student at Hogwarts dies, and the characters start to get more older.

DD did have nightmares from book II-- just so that you're aware. I think that much depends on a child's awareness and sensitivities. Ginny's (effective) possession in book II was something that my DD found extremely disturbing.

There is pretty good plot summary at the wikipedia page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter


The third book includes an adult that 'stalks' Harry, and the introduction of the Dementors.



As I said, though, I think that most children probably won't pick up on those super-scaring foreshadowing things. DD did in some places. I really recommend reading the series WITH a gifted child so that they can talk with you as they go. Some of the scariest things aren't "magic" things at all-- they are the very human (and dark) motivations and actions of the supporting characters, like Barty Crouch in book III, Severus Snape, even Draco Malfoy (and his family). There is racism-- and it's potent.

Book 3 is when both of mine quit the series until they were 8. There are fun other similar series that aren't so dark that they were happy with in between (39 Clues and Percy Jackson were favorites).

We stopped DS6 at the end of book 3. He's chomping at the bit to continue, but I'm not sure when we will allow him to go forward. Book 3 is a common end point for those who are allowing the books at a younger age.

My 2E DD devoured these books as well and finished all 7 in a matter of 5-6 months when she was 7. Everyone warned us off going past book 3 with her until she was older as they get progressively darker with the last being really, really dark. Finally my BIL, who is an elementary school librarian, said "She'll be fine with number 4. And honestly reading all seven won't cause her any harm." It worked out fine for DD but I think as the characters get older the intended audiences ages as well so use your discretion.

It may be a bit different for us because of DD's LDs we have to do everything on audio book. This means DH, DD and I listen together in the car so we are available to discuss anything that may come up. DD never had any nightmares from any of these books. As HK pointed out there are some pretty despicable characters, though, and much of the dark part has nothing to do with magic. DD has super high comprehension and a great ability to compartmentalize. Despite being super sensitive in real life she has a great capacity for tolerating death, cruelty and unhappiness in books. "As long as its part of the story it's ok." YMMV with a different type of kiddo.

DS7 didn't want to go past book 3 last year; now he is plowing through them all. I believe he skips some scary bits. It seems OK. He's a sensitive soul, so I'm a bit surprised...

DW had a strong emotional response to Dumbledore's death in 6. DD hardly blinked. It's all so very individual.

I depends on what bothers your child. I agree with the estimate that they get dark about book 4. Keep in mind that J.K. Roweling deliberately aged the maturity books unlike other authors. Excepting that her original audience would keep reading. So with the first few books fit the 8-12 year old reading level & interest. The later books are defiantly teen with more complex ideas and a lot darker, with teen themes. I'm not sure a 6 year old is going to "get" why Harry is so moody in book 5. I read the books to/with my son when he was in early elementary, and then he read them to himself when he was 11.

I intended for ds last school year to read 1,2 & 3 (he was 7 and then turned 8) and then I was going to tell him to save the others and read them one a year from then on like the rest of us had to do in real time waiting for the next one to be published. I turned around and he had read all of them before I even told him of my preference.