Would you recommend that older kids

R read them (and reread them) and thoroughly liked them, the same with the movie. He has never admitted to what he learned from the books or how they impacted him. I think they are fine....you never know, it might hit a nerve somewhere. Which brings up another story.....Shortly after R came to live with us we were watching "Castaway". He was OK with everything until it got to the part where Tom Hanks' character is floating on the raft and loses "Wilson"....R was already sitting in my lap and he cried and cried - that horribly sad gut-wrenching abandonment cry. Haven't gotten to him to cry that deeply since! (if we tried to watch Castaway, he'd be on to us.....) Fran

I wouldn't let them read the first two books. My kids were big into false allegations and man, would that give them ammo. However, a therapist in the rtc my son was in had him read one of the books-something like "help yourself" I can't remember the whole title and another son read A Man Called Dave

I have trouble with the first two books. The first one was so emotionally wrenching on me as an adult, that I see more harm than good letting a child read it (including teenagers) unless they have had similar issues that they are working through. I can see how it could be helpful as they deal with their past, but... It is such a hard read! It still bothers me, and I still have negative flashbacks - not nightmares, but "shudders" as I think of his experiences. And I read it many months ago! I would only have them read it if it was used in conjunction with therapy, and if they would obviously benefit from it. The third book, though, was -of course- esier to read, and would be fine for younger people. It's hard to know what will help them move forward, versus what will wrench their hearts.