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Adults are very careful at keeping pointed objects and dangerous weapons away from kids. I think the same goes for the topic this book covers. I believe they should be taught at proper age, when they are old enough and ready. Let kids be kids and have fun.

I don't think this would be an appropriate book for a young child, but I think a teen could handle it well. While there is a lot of violence, it doesn't go into graphic detail. Plus, I know a lot of teens are reading books with more graphic violence than this and watching television/movies with more graphic detail. I think that a teen could benefit from reading this book. It could lead to a great discussion on the teen's feelings about guns.

I am afraid when we allow our kids to read this story. Because children always want to try whatever they witness adults do. So, they can grab a gun to run a test trial on their colleagues.

I think ultimately it depends on the child's level of maturity, but I think teenagers could handle this book. They are at an age where relevant topics like this need to be introduced and discussed rather than shielded from them.

I also do not recommend the children to read this book. It may make them think of the elderly in an unbalanced manner which is not what we would wish for our senior citizens.

When it comes to guns, this book depicts the unfortunate reality. I don't think children should be shielded from such reality, especially if they are old enough to understand. I think this will reduce their probability of yielding to negative peer influence.

I think a more mature child would enjoy this book because they would have the ability to read between the lines and have a mature discussion about it. Especially as it deals with school shootings and that is, sadly, very relevant in today's society.

I feel like the would be a great book for teenagers but not for younger children. There is violence but it's not anything more graphic than what they are seeing on the news these days. It would also spark a great discussion about guns and gun control.

Kids shouldn't read this but teenagers can.

My son is younger so he won't be reading the book, but I did take him with me when I learned how to shoot. He was excited for me to learn, but at the same time he understands guns are not toys. He understands the concept of using a gun to protect oneself, but not to go out and hurt others willingly or out of retribution.

nobunkum wrote: ↑16 Apr 2018, 17:02 I would find a better book for a child to read that was more balanced. This book is meant to be a social commentary but it is very limited in the scope of discussion regarding the topic. I would want my child to read something (on any issue) that did a better job of explaining why the issue is as complex and it is.

I agree that a more balanced book would be more appropriate for young adults. I specifically say young adults because I don't look at it from the perspective that a 16 year old is not old enough to handle a conversation about guns. I've got a 16-year old son at home and I can tell you that any topic that I, or my husband, do not speak with him about, his peers are prompt to educate him on. You can't shield your children, but you can ensure that they get accurate information and that they use the information responsibly. Between peers and video games, kids nowadays are more knowledgeable about guns than a lot of adults. This book deals with many other issues that I don't believe would be "educational" for young adults, and I don't believe that was the author's intention. So, no I would not recommend this book for young adults.

If we're talking about teenagers, I don't see an issue. When you say "kids," I tend to think of 10 and under, and I would say this book is not for them.

I don't think gender is an issue with reading this book. It's making sure that one gets to the end and then reasons on the way things turned out. And to remember that this is, after all, fiction and not real life. Reading the same books in the family is great for discussions. My husband and I enjoy different points of view much of the time.

I think this book would be ok for high school aged kids. I Don’t think I would recommend it for younger than that just because of the adult themes with guns and violence

I believe a young adult should be taught how to safely use a firearm for proper use such as hunting. I don't think it is appropriate to fill a child's mind with thoughts and ideas pertaining to the material found in this book. There are so many positive things to fill a young mind with. Killing others with guns is not one of them.