Artemis Fowl : suitable for young children?

I've been buying the Artemis Fowl books for a while with plans of reading them aloud to my kids, but I opened the first book at random a couple of days ago and spotted a reference to Santa Claus which seemed unsuitable for my two youngest, one of whom definitely still believes in Santa.

so to those who have read the series - what age would you recommend them for?

Depends on the child but maybe around 10. I've read the first 4 books and, on the whole, I wouldn't worry about my kids reading it when they are ready. My oldest is just 6yo and has only started reading on his own. The only eye popper was in the first book...

****SPOILER*******

Artemis' dad has been missing for over a year and his mother has developed dementia. Artemis walks in on his mom, all excited, because he thinks he hears her talking to his dad in her room. She's actually playacting with a pillow she's drawn a face on, pretending that it is her husband and this is their wedding night. She is in her wedding gown and has stuffed her husband's tux and put the pillow on top. She even forgots who Artemis is and thinks he is her father coming to wish them well.

*********************

That above part made me decide I wouldn't read it to my son just yet. It was intense enough for even me. But I'm lucky, there are so many other books he's interested in that it hasn't even come up.

My 10 year old just read them in the last 6 months. I really wouldn't reccomend them for children much younger than that. In the first book there is an encounter with a troll that is quite violent and there is lots of talk of weapons throughout the book.
In the front of my son's copy of Artemis Fowl it lists two books also by Eoin Colfer for younger readers -- The Legend of Spud Murphy and The legend of Captain Crow's teeth. I haven't read either of them but you might want to check them out.

Artemis Fowl is typically classified as young adult, I believe.

If you want something softer but still in that world you might try
" The Misadventures of Inspector Moustachio" by Wayne Madsen

#5 > Bethv, you mention The misadventures of Inspector Moustachio in ALL the Children's Fiction conversations. Allow me to ask you a question: are you in some way related to the author?

Bethy has only one book cataloged. Guess which one? LOL!

No I'm not This is a wonderful book series that my children's doctor wrote and it has just come out. I wanted to spread the word. It is really a great mystery series it has already won a literary award fro the publisher. Your children will love it!.

I'm new so I don't have a history here!

Thats all well and good, but if you aren't just spamming the boards advertising, why not put more books in your library, and actually contribute to conversations, not just spam about mustachio? No offense meant, but your actions aren't exactly helping you.

My son read the Artemis Fowl books when he was 13 and enjoyed them. My co-worker is in her 50s and also loves the books, so I guess the age level would be negotiable LOL. I haven't tried them yet, but probably will eventually.

I adore the Artemis Fowl books and although I have no children of my own, I have young nieces and nephews. I'd recommend them for kids of Artemis' own age (he's 12 at the start of the series), as they'll be able to identify with him a lot better. When the kids in my family reach that age, they'll be getting the compete set as a gift!

My nine-year-old daughter tore through the first Artemis Fowl book in a day or two, but her reading age is a bit ahead of her actual years. (Okay, several years ahead.)

My point is that parents usually know their own kids, and biological age has little to do with which books they should be reading. For example, there are some books I'd give my eldest daughter (now 12) which I'd also be happy giving to the younger one. Our older daughter is affected more by scenes as detailed above, often coming out at midnight to ask us about stuff which has been troubling her, whereas the younger just brushes things off and we never see her from bed-time until morning.

Hi Simon,

Welcome to the group! It's good to have the opinion of someone with children who writes for children.

Check out Simon Haynes's Hal Spacejock series -- humorous sc-fi novels, full of adventure.

~Shelagh

Shelagh, thanks for outing me ;-)

I do like to see what's around for my kids, because I keep feeding them the things I read as a youngster and the market has moved on from then.

Those concerned about Artemis may want to look at a new young adult adventure series called the Arnie Carver Adventures. The first one is just out and is titlted Arnie Carver and the Plague of Demeverde. www.ArnieCarver.com

You're welcome Simon! The children's fiction forum is a wonderful resource for readers of all ages. The members here never fail to amaze me with their breadth of knowledge, kindness in helping others and willingness to listen to fresh ideas and differing opinions --including those of children's authors. LOL!

Which bring me to Kenneth Besser, who is also a children's author. I checked out the website and, I must say, Arnie Carver and the Plague of Demeverde looks very interesting and adventurous!

It depends on the child. Especially in the first one, there's some violence (the first time my family tried to read one part with a troll almost killing someone, we hated the books). Some parts could be confusing to some kids, and other parts gruesome.

I would recommend Artemis Fowl for grades 4-8. The only Artemis book that I would hesitate to recommend to elementary school aged children is Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony. One of the main characters is a demon. This might be a little too creepy for elementary school. I think that it would be fine for young adults. I enjoyed it, myself.

It really depends on your child. Also if you are still concerned perhaps when reading aloud to them you can use those moments that perhaps have you concerned to discuss it with you children.