I read books now that I don't completely understand. It's how I keep learning.
Our DD self edits. If the book is disturbing or incomprehensible it gets put aside for now. I only questioned her once when she wanted to read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime aged 9. I read it first. It was an opportunity to discuss the use of swearing as a textual device. DD doesn't swear, then or now but she understands better why others might.
It is interesting that with DDs next grade skip the only concern of the English Head was that she would be exposed to topics like inter family homicide when they study the Classics! The Head of English knows nothing about DD apart from the fact that she looks quiet and sweet, not that she has been ready adult books for years. I was more worried about her skills in comparative essays and literary analysis which the school has been slow to teach.
