I wouldn't allow it.

I just asked my husband who teaches 7th grade English and he said that it sounds like a book called something about Thorns and Roses and if it is the book her remembers it is a little more graphic with the sex scenes than other young adult novels. He wouldn't recommend it for a 10 year old 4th of 5th grader but by 7th grade he is happy if they read books instead of spend all day texting and looking at social media.
http://www.amazon.com/Court-Thorns-Roses-Sarah-Maas/dp/1619634449

Anonymous wrote:My concern wouldn't be that she's reading fantasy, but that she's reading fantasy aimed at a more mature audience. Try introducing her to Diana Wynne Jones books. Tamora Pierce also writes excellent YA fantasy. The Circle of Magic series is good for younger readers, and the Tortall books skew older, but when sex comes up in them, it is handled well, particularly in terms of consent and protection against pregnancy.

They also have really strong female protagonists. The only thing I don't like is when the strong (YOUNG) females enter into romances with their older mentors, but I still think the Tortall books are some of the best on the market for girls who like fantasy/sci fi.

My concern wouldn't be that she's reading fantasy, but that she's reading fantasy aimed at a more mature audience. Try introducing her to Diana Wynne Jones books. Tamora Pierce also writes excellent YA fantasy. The Circle of Magic series is good for younger readers, and the Tortall books skew older, but when sex comes up in them, it is handled well, particularly in terms of consent and protection against pregnancy.

Still sounds better than Flowers in the Attic, but maybe not by much. I really wouldn't worry about it. (I admit, I've looked at the Sarah Maas books a couple times, but I just can't read them -- they're so stupid, characters, plot, everything.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:atleast she reads. better than having her be a screen zombie

I would pre-screen for violence and sexual content as some of the urban fantasy novels are more adult than young adult.

They're all violent. I've sort of (not proudly) gotten inured to that. It's the growing amount of sex and the potential combination of sex & violence (see the description in my OP) that are driving my latest round of wondering. She goes through these books like potato chips. I haven't had the time or frankly the inclination to pre-screen, but maybe I should do more.

She reads so that's great. There was a lot of junk sci fi and fantasy when we were kids too and I devoured it. She's just ten. See if you can read one book that's more serious together. Maybe not out loud but at the same time and then talk about it. Something like "I really loved this when I was your age and I'd Love for you to read it and tell me what you think about it". Don't put down her reading choices.

Anonymous wrote:atleast she reads. better than having her be a screen zombie

I would pre-screen for violence and sexual content as some of the urban fantasy novels are more adult than young adult.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she likes fantasy/science fiction/YA, try to ALSO encourage her to read some more "traditional" books in that genre, like "Hunger Games," Tolkein, etc., but make it in addition to what she's reading on her own, not "instead of."

--An English MA holder who has helped run a youth reading grant and knows that kids reading ANYTHING on their own is tremendously valuable

We've tried this without much success. Compared to contemporary YA fantasy, the fantasy/science fiction I grew up reading--Asimov, Heinlein, Zelazny, McCaffrey, Dune--seems boring and difficult to her. The "junk" that I happily devoured alongside more serious fiction is serious fiction compared to what's on the market today. Oh well!

She's only ten. I really wouldn't worry. When my DD was in 6th grade, I got a bit tired of the YA and bribed (yes, bribed) her to read To Kill a Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies. She took off from there.

Anonymous wrote:If she likes fantasy/science fiction/YA, try to ALSO encourage her to read some more "traditional" books in that genre, like "Hunger Games," Tolkein, etc., but make it in addition to what she's reading on her own, not "instead of."

--An English MA holder who has helped run a youth reading grant and knows that kids reading ANYTHING on their own is tremendously valuable

We've tried this without much success. Compared to contemporary YA fantasy, the fantasy/science fiction I grew up reading--Asimov, Heinlein, Zelazny, McCaffrey, Dune--seems boring and difficult to her. The "junk" that I happily devoured alongside more serious fiction is serious fiction compared to what's on the market today. Oh well!

OF COURSE it's not a "fight" worth having. She's reading!

She'll read enough "fundamental" books in school. You should thank your lucky stars that she is picking up books on her own for pleasure and entertainment, instead of only wanting to be on a device.

OK, so it's a little on the "older" side...but it's probably much healthier to explore that kind of thing in a book rather than online...

If she likes fantasy/science fiction/YA, try to ALSO encourage her to read some more "traditional" books in that genre, like "Hunger Games," Tolkein, etc., but make it in addition to what she's reading on her own, not "instead of."

--An English MA holder who has helped run a youth reading grant and knows that kids reading ANYTHING on their own is tremendously valuable

I'd let her read it.

As PP noted, at least she reads! You might read it yourself as well and discuss it with her.

This isn't worth worrying about, honestly. It's perfectly fine to enjoy a specific genre. My 10 yo went through a Dystopian period. Now at 12 she's addicted to Minecraft. I preferred the apocalypse.

atleast she reads. better than having her be a screen zombie

Here's part of the School Library Journal description of her latest request: "Feyre finds herself held on a lavish estate belonging to an elite Fae creature known as Tamlin. Over the course of her captivity, Feyre soon learns that life in the Fae realm can be as much of an opportunity as a punishment. When her feelings for Tamlin shift from loathing to lust, Feyre also realizes little will be able to keep them apart—not even the threat of evil lurking on the borders of the estate....Readers will find the author's trademark blend of action, romance, and witty banter as well as a sexier, edgier tone." The book is recommended for grades 9 and up.

I hate the fact that this all she wants to read, but I am beginning to think this is not a fight worth having. That's based on my these books are not sufficiently powerful to do any lasting damage. Opinions?