When I was 12, my uncle gave me a copy of 'Salem’s Lot. I quickly became addicted to Stephen King, and I’ve greatly enjoyed reading him over the years.
Yesterday, my daughter turned 12. She’s seen *Alien *and emerged unfazed. She recently asked if she could see The Gallows. I feel like it’s time to buy her her first Stephen King. Even if she doesn’t take to it, it’s a rite of passage.
So, where do I start? I feel like I can do a bit better than* 'Salem’s Lot*. Maybe *Carrie *- short, simple, plugs into the teen angst Chloe is on the cusp of. Or The Shining - I think this is one of his best books, without being too long.
But, there’s always the short stories - that might be more engaging for her, since they’re quick hits, and they’re his scariest stuff. I’m happy to say that “The Moving Finger” embodies for me the tagline, “This won’t just scare you - it’ll fuck you up for life.”
The Shining is inappropriate imo because Jack Torrance is an alcoholic violent abuser in a real non-horror way. Just reread it and its Kings deepest psychological work. It could cause nightmares. Obviously not It because of the kiddie sex. I second Salems Lot or one of his short story collections…especially the one with Stand By Me.
Carrie might be a good start. It was my first King book (when I was 14, ahh), and since it was about teenagers, I think it was easy for me to relate. Plus, the “unusual” format (of letters, newspaper articles, etc.) made me feel like I very grown up!
I think The Eyes of the Dragon and The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon are the closest King has come to writing specifically for younger readers, though that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best choice for what you’re looking for.
The novella that Stand By Me (movie) came from was actually called The Body. And I would absolutely recommend it, not as horror, but just as really good writing and entertainment.
I’d go with 'Salem’s Lot, as it’s suitably creepy and ties in with the current vampire fad. It would also familiarize her with King’s writing quirks, (like putting things in italicized parentheses) for emphasis. Misery might be another good choice, but perhaps more drama than horror.
However the collection it comes in contains Apt Pupil. Which in addition to not being all that awesome as a story IMHO, if the OP wants to avoid disturbing sexual imagery it is not optimal. Of course virtually all of King’s “classic” stuff has a little sex in it ( including 'Salem’s Lot ), but Apt Pupil’s is of the budding Nazi sociopath fantasy variety. A little less wholesome than normal ;).
The Shining is where I started at about 12 and I think it remains his most consistent work. But, yes - it gave me nightmares. Probably near the last of my life. Well worth it IMHO, but not everyone agrees :).
Pet Sematary was my first King book, and my first book in the ‘horror’ genre. I was 15. I was instantly hooked and went on a tear through the rest of his books.
I think *Cujo *might be teen-accessible, and if not that, either of the earlier short story collections - Night Shift and the larger one that came a little later.
It has a transvestite or transexual character (I don’t remember the details well enough to use the correct term) who has a memory of mutual masturbation with a frat brother in college and who fantasizes about a garbage disposal opening being a vagina. It’s fairly brief and not overly explicit (the masturbation is literally “…it ended in mutual masturbation…” with no additional details) but it’s not pre-teen lit either.
:() so I think she would be prejudiced against it.
