What age is it appropriate to give a child a shocking book about the horrors of drugs?

Question

I'm buying books for my little sister, and my friend told me to get her "Go Ask Alice".

She's 12 years old, so I was like, no way in heck am I getting her that book.

But then I realized maybe I should give it to her, so that she'll be terrified of drugs before she comes into contact with them.

Are there any books less graphically sexual than Go Ask Alice?

Answer 1

i read it shortly after my 12th birthday im 13 now.

and it scared me a lot but also made me really curious. like i wanted to try some of that stuff. Not that i would because im smarter than that and i know drugs can s***w up your life, but just like it made me think wow that life is so different than mine it would be such a change and it sorta actuallyappealed to me... for a little while.! even though its really horrifying at some parts

Answer 2

If you want her to avoid drugs, scare tactics won't work. It's a bad book ... poorly written, and mostly made up by the supposed "editor".

Ask a librarian to recommend some books: Tamora Pierce, Patricia McKellip, lots of solid writers with good strong role model girls.

Howl's Moving Castle ... the BOOK, is also good.

Answer 3

i would give it as soon as she turns 14 cause by then in most state schools theyl be offered cannabis everyday...i talk from experience :)

Answer 4

Go ask Alice is fiction.  

Why would you give out misinformation to your sister?  Why not do some REAL research and give her facts?

Answer 5

I read Go Ask Alice when I was that age, it made me want to go out and do some drugs.  Seriously and I am not trying to make light of it.  I would call some drug rehabilitation centers or counselors and ask for their recommendations.

Answer 6

Go ask Alice isn't a true story but it is VERY graphic, I would consider finding a different book. check out some Christian Websites that have a less "graphic" information. I'll find you a link or two.

This man and his wife came to our church and it was very touching and they may have books you can purchase on line. There are even testimonials about drugs and how they were able to conquer the habit. There are good books out there that tell about the dangers of drugs, it's just a matter of finding them. Thank you for being proactive with your sister. That's awesome.

><> Jeanna

http://www.reclamationranch.com/

http://www.baptistink.com/Hook_Line_and_...

Answer 7

don't traumatize her... educate her..........go to the library for appropriate age reading

Answer 8

its like in 5th grade they came to us with the DARE program to try to scare us from drugs but all they did really was teach us about them. like i never knew what coke and heroin and x were before they were like "DON'T DO IT, IT'S BAD, THIS IS WHAT IT DOES TO YOU."

so yeah now all my peers are huge druggies because they learned about it at an early age and wanted to try it and got caught up in it.

Answer 9

I don't know about the book, but my only comment is...you dont want her terrified of drugs, you want her to be knowledgable...You dont want her to be terrified of driving, you want her to know the rules and what could happen if she is not driving safely. Big difference in your  wording. Dont just give her a book, read with her, talk about what the book is saying, ask her if she has questions.