What would you let your children read?

When I was young I read whatever I wanted because my mother didn't know english and didn't pay much attention to what I was reading. I read books that were way above my age level and it was okay. Now with my brother and sister I get them some books to read and I make sure that they have no explicit things in them. Things have changed a lot since I was a little girl and I don't really like them to read such explicit things. But that's my opinion.

My first thought is, they are reading which is always a good thing. If I saw an eight year old with "The Exorcist" for example I might suggest something a bit more age appropriate but if they really wanted to read it I would let them. If it appeared they could understand it then let them. Be prepared to discuss with them questions they might have but other wise if you try to tell them no you could turn them off reading which I had one teacher do. When I was eight I had to do a book report. I read "The Hobbit" by Tolkien. The teacher told me I couldn't do the report on it because it was too complicated. I had to read something under a 100 pages. I found another book but it wasn't what I wanted to do. I didn't read another book for two years. I had another teacher in 5th grade that read to us and she turned me back onto reading. My thought is let them read.

My son already reads above his age level. He is in 2nd grade and reads at a 4th grade level. If I left him to read at a second grade level he would be bored and that would hinder him learning. When I was a pre-teen I was reading such books as Stephen King. I would let me son do the same.

we are quite careful in regards to the books that our children read. We do not mind them reading beyond their age as far as wholesome material with more difficult language - but their innocence is very important to us and we do try to guard it.

Yes I would allow them to read books above their "age" if I felt they were able to cope reading them, I read plenty that I probably shouldnt and it did me no harm because I knew they were just stories and I knew if I needed anything explaining I could go to my mum, il do the same for my children as she did for me

My friend's baby has reached 5 years old and loves to grab books at the bookstore so I bought her children books instead so that I know that she can learn a lot in these books.

I think that just depends on the individual. I was allowed to read any kind of book I wanted when I was younger. I was reading Danielle Steele when I was in 6th grade. But I was very mature for my age. If I had a child who was mature enough to handle the content in a book, I would probably let them read it first as long as I had read it first.