How to Choose Science Fiction Books for Your Kids
Science fiction is popular among all age groups, and there are lots of good science fiction books available for the juvenile market ' the trick is finding the titles that will be both enjoyable and age-appropriate for your child, in a genre that often contains scenes of violence and even death.
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Instructions
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Consider your child's comprehension and maturity level. Read a few pages from the middle of each book you're considering, to see if the material seems to be within your child's scope of knowledge.
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Consider your child's sensitivity level. Some children are much more disturbed than others by negative aspects of the books they read, so if your child is easily frightened or has a tendency to see monsters under the bed, think carefully about the type of fantasy you'll bring home.
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Decide how much violent content is OK. Many science fiction books for older children contain monsters, aliens, or battles in which some characters may get killed. Decide what's appropriate for your child's maturity level by reading some of the book in advance, or by talking to other people who have read it.
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Ask a children's librarian for suggestions. While the librarian may not have read all the books you're considering, he or she will be able to let you know which fantasies are popular with which age groups, and may tell you about books or authors you're not familiar with.
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Consider science fiction books written for a general audience ' not just for kids ' as your children get older and their tastes become more sophisticated.
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Look for award-winning books. Newbery and Caldecott award winners are usually excellent, and there are other organizations that reward excellence in children's literature from all genres.
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Do some Internet research; there are lots of good book review sites out there, many of them specifically for SF fans.
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Tips & Warnings
If your children enjoy science fiction, they may also appreciate fantasy ' offer them a few titles that may interest them.
Older children may enjoy attending science fiction conventions; keep an eye open for convention dates in your area.
If you have any doubts about the suitability of a book for your children, read it before you give it to them. This will prepare you to explain any questions they may have about the book, too.
