Is the book "wicked" inappropriate for a ten year old?

Question

My 10 year old wants to read it

Answer 1

I would say "Wicked" should not be read by anyone younger than a maturity age of 16. It has some content that is not proper for junior high level reading or younger.
I'd suggest instead of reading "Wicked" have your child read the book that it is based on, L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and go through all 14 in Baum's Oz series.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oz_books

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I read this book when I was about 14, but I knew nothing about it before I read it. It depends on what your personal standards are, as well as what you deem inappropriate. If your child is familiar with the musical Wicked, let them know that it is very different from the Stephen Schwartz version. The book, by Gregory Maguire, is very political. It might be harder for some younger readeres to understand. It also has some references and events that are graphic and sexual, as do most of his other books. If you want to give it a try, I suggest reading it with them or reading it before you give it to your child. This was, if you change your mind or want them to skip over any chapters, then you are informed of it in advance. It was an ok-ish book, in my opinion, but I liked the musical, which I absolutely LOVED, much better. If they are not familiar with it, be sure to get them a copy of the soundtrack. I would say no, but this is just my opinion. It is ultimately up to you.

Answer 4

I'm glad most people are answering responsibly and answering that it is inappropriate. The truth is that it is not appropriate for a ten year old. The style, the politics, the animal-human sex, the violence, there is no way that it could be appropriate for a ten year old. Except for the shocking parts which might prove disturbing...most of it would probably be quite boring to a child. It is very political...just ramblings on and on and on and on about politics...and the violent tendancies of this political group are not the most pleasant. And the sexuality/descriptions are too detailed to be missed. (Unless you're dying of curiousity to know what color hair she has down there--which quite frankly I wasn't)

Answer 5

I've read the book and, as a parent, I wouldn't want my 10 y/o reading it. I don't know how advanced your daughter is in reading but Maguire does have books out for 8-12 year olds that she may like rather than allowing her to read the adult books. Just a thought.

Answer 6

Im 16 and i read it but there is some intimate parts and some heavy issues. I don't think a ten year old could handle it. Some is very confusing if you don't pay attention.

Answer 7

At ten, No. It has to deal with adult issues (ie sex, murder, and a bit of animal and human..umm sexual encounters) I would defiantly say no, wait until your child is older and would understand that the book in a fantasy and can handle the mature content within the novel.

Answer 8

i think if you trust your child you should let him read it. but be warned that it does have some adult issues in the story and you have to know your child to know if it'll be appropriate. :D it's a great book though. but it might be tough for a 10 year old to understand it.

Answer 9

my mom read it and said i couldn't read it and i'm a teen, so your daughter should want till she is older. it deals with adult issues that ten year olds don't need to be thinking about. or so i've been told.