'Time Bomb'
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
It's Vertigo, so there's sex and violence and cursing. There's an issue in the first volume that's one of the most unsettling things I've ever read.
But overall, I wouldn't say it's too "adult," per se, but it's pretty heady and complex. Depends on the 11-year-old.
I would not give Sandman to an 11 year old who was not my own. I would not recommend a friend give it to their 11 year old unless they read it first.
It would mostly be fine, I think, but there's some disturbingly specific violence and sexual abuse. I would give P-C's answer for a 14 year old.
I'm with Debet - I wouldn't recommend Sandman to anyone younger than high school.
There's an issue in the first volume that's one of the most unsettling things I've ever read.
"24 Hours", I'm guessing?
I would say Sandman is not quite appropriate for an 11 year old.
(I should probably asterisk my own comment with the fact that the group of friends who introduced ME to Sandman probably did start reading it around age 11-12, but I didn't meet them until I was 14, and as an adult with children of my own, the idea of someone just out of elementary school reading "24 Hours" is making me clutch my hypothetical pearls in horror.)
the idea of someone just out of elementary school reading "24 Hours" is making me clutch my hypothetical pearls in horror.
I was going to say Pfffft, Sandman is totally appropriate for an 11 year old!, and then I stopped and asked myself if I'd be willing to give it to Princess Tickybox in three years. Ha, nope.
"24 Hours", I'm guessing?
Yep.
My gut reaction was definitely um, no, not for an 11-year-old.
Thanks, everyone. It's been a while since I read them. I probably would let an 11 year old of mine read them, but TCG's brother and sister-in-law probably wouldn't. I ended up picking up a book on drawing superheroes for my nephew instead.
I have to agree about the appropriateness. Just because the stories are lovely and superbly written doesn't mean they're for all ages. Of Gaiman's catalog, I guess Coraline, The Graveyard Book and Mirrormask would be good for tweens?
Coraline and The Graveyard Book for sure. Also the picture book about trading dad for a goldfish because it's funny.