List the Top 10 things parents who haven't read the book should know about Twilight to make them feel more comfortable about their kids reading it. Answers may be included in an article for ReelzChannel!

HERE is the article. Great job everyone!!!

1. There is no bad language or graphic sexual content.

My 11 year old read the books first and loved them. What more could you want then a child eager to read all summer instead of the usual TV/video games??!!

ReelzChannel.com contacted TwilightMOMS.com asking for input on the topic of parents and Twilight. Specifically, what are 10 things YOU think every parent should know about Twilight?

There are so many parents out there who have kids who are super fans of the books and anticipating the movie with the same giddy enthusiasm we as adult fans have. But there are also parents out there who have no idea what Twilight is about. (no, I'm not kidding... there really are... and I personally don't get it. )

I've personally even received emails over the past year from young girls whose parents would not allow them to read the book because it is about "vampires". These poor girls always break my heart with their pleas for me to email their parents and tell them why they should let their daughter read the books. As a parent myself I know that it is not my place to tell any other parent what is best for their child so there is nothing I can do but recommend that parents read the book first themselves and then make the decision. (please girls, don't send those emails, they seriously make me cry because there's nothing I can do.)

There are a LOT of tweens and teens pleading with their parents to be allowed to read Twilight. There are going to be a LOT of young fans pleading with their parents to see the upcoming movie. So, if you were speaking to the parent(s) of these kids, what are the 10 most important things you would tell them about Twilight?

Please number them if you can, and then give a brief explanation or summary.

Thanks to ReelzChannel and to all of you who weigh in. (Even if you aren't a parent yourself, give your input too!) All members are welcome to post on the subject here.

1. There is no graphic sexual content, but there are references to sex, and some sensuality.
2. Your child may or may not become Edward/Jacob obsessed.
3. The book is about vampires, but it is not violent.
4. The Twilight books are not dark and/or satanic, as some people might suspect
5. The characters are not evil, and the bad guys are not dark enough to cause nightmares.

1) "Twilight" will have your children wanting to read works referenced within (Pride & Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, Romeo & Juliet, The Merchant of Venice).

2) "Twilight", despite the vampires & werewolves, also deals with teen issues that all teens experience (the two-faced nature of jealous classmates, the way that rumors can have a life of their own). The characters are not all "goody goody", nor are they all catty and vicious toward one another.

3) Readers can identify with the main human characters on a very believable level -- and even Eric is beloved in his own way. Bella, as a clumsy, intelligent, average-looking girl, has great friends (Angela, Mike, Ben) as well as "getting the guy" - ie, Edward. The Cullen's may be described as being 'perfect', but the rest of the characters are just your average people. They are just like you and me, and they are relatable for that reason.

4) The concept of vampirism has been turned on its ear by Ms. Meyer. These vampires do not creep around in the dark, eager to feast upon unsuspecting humans. While there are vampires of that kind in the stories, they are peripheral characters and their actions are only alluded to. The Cullen's, the coven of vampires in the story, choose a more humane way of life - respecting human life rather than feasting on it. They are also an anomaly compared to other covens - they feed on animals, they live together peacefully, and they work together to protect each other.

5) A common theme that runs through all of the books is "working together - even with those you don't particularly like - to overcome obstacles". Edward and Jacob are able to put aside their differences (for the most part) to work together to protect Bella & the residents of Forks in "Eclipse". Teamwork and the ability to recognize the strengths that others possess is a strong message to youngsters and teens as well as adults.

6) Being able to find a "family" even outside of your own genetics is also a theme that runs through the stories. In this day and age of the internet and cable television, children and teens are becoming more isolated in their own lives. in Twilight, readers see that family doesn't always mean blood-relatives, and that very good, loyal friends are worth more than any amount of money.

7) Love and acceptance. The characters in "Twilight" love each other on many different levels: Carlisle & Esme have a deep love for each other, as well as their created 'family'; Bella loves her parents very much, despite their flaws in their parenting styles; Edward loves his 'siblings', though they do get on his nerves (he even cares for Rosalie, though it is a grudging affection at times); and Bella can love her best friend and her boyfriend, despite their hatred of each other. No one in "Twilight" is without their flaws and mistakes, but they are still accepted, not shunned and excluded. To teens, sometimes those distinctions are seen in black and white, but in the real world, its all shades of gray. "Twilight" brings the readers into a world where 'good' people make mistakes, 'bad' people can make the right decision, and things aren't perfect.

1. There is not graphic sexual content, but there is sexuality/sensuality
2. Edward cares deeply for Bella, and wants to keep her safe
3. Bella and Edward love and respect their parents

I'm bad at coming up with 10 of anything. This is the best I can do right now. Might come up with more when I'm not thinking about it.

- Stacy

I'm not sure about using this forum for that purpose because parental standards differ for each family. While I abhor censorship in any form, I do believe that parents should know about what their child reads and guide them, which may mean their child waits until later to read certain books. Age appropriateness is important--especially in middle school--the "twilight zone" of human development. Not all students are ready for the same stuff at that level. (Yes, I am opinionate about this, but this is my research area.)

Parents, in General:
1. Select titles and read with your child. WARNING: You may get stuck in the "Twilight" zone, too.
2. Talk about the books you read together. This is an excellent way to discuss the values you want your child to take with them into adulthood.

Specifically Twilight:
3. Twilight offers many family related topics and themes such as family love and loyalty.
4. There are also opportunities to discuss morals such as saving sex for marriage, good vs. evil, and right and wrong.
5. Twilight also gives parents a prime opportunity to talk about romantic, true love, vs, lust--the difference between committed love and hormones.
6. A discussion about the characters would be a good one--there is enough variety here to cover lots of topics.

I'm sure others will have lots better ways to phrase this--right now I am a little occupied, and I keep diverting back to the forum when I take a mental break. I just do not want anyone taking anything from this forum out of context or in any way that will encourage a discussion about censorship in relation to these books.... Parents deserve the freedom of guiding their own child's reading--but you better back off my child.

My husband and I had a similiar conversation just last night, after my 11 y/o son told us that a sixth grader in his class was reading the book. Without censorship, at what age is appropriate? There is some content that may not be suitable for someone that young to comprehend, but I hope that her parents are there to answer any questions that may arise. These are my top tens things parents might want to know about "Twilight"

1. Self-sacrifice can have its merits. Bella leaves her warm home of Arizona to live with her father, in Forks, Washington. Her mother remarried and her husband travels alot, leaving Bella alone when her mother is gone. This made her mother feel guilty, making her travel less but lonely and sad for her husbands absence. So Bella goes to live with her father, in the process she meets the love of her life.

2. Chastity is golden. There is some sexual tension when they kiss, but it nevers goes too far. Edward is a gentleman at all times, believing only in sex after marriage.

3. You know who your friends are. There are so many times that a "friend" shows her/his true colors. Bella deals with this on almost a daily basis, just like our kids. She shows poise through the adversity of "catty" behaviour.

4. There is no vulgar language in the book....no profanity.

5. There are no satanic vampires or reference to anything satanic or evil.

6. You can identify with many of the believable characters in the book....they are like many of us at that age.....shy, gawky, uncoordinated, hopeful.

7. From what I have seen in the trailers, the book and film are pretty close. With a PG-13 rating, I would let my 11 y/o watch it.....there are worse things out there.

8. Your child is reading......*OME*!!

9. Obsession with all things "Twilight" are quite possible. (Doesn't matter how old you are.)

10. Read it, you might love it!!!!!

Yes, this is for her parents to decide. I would have an objection to an entire class of sixth graders reading this, which of course, would probably be challenged. "Age appropriate" means that the child has matured enough to handle the content of the book. Teachers usually select novels appropriate to their grade levels, but that does not mean that some of those titles are not challenged. A parent has every right to say that no, I do not want my child reading this novel as a class novel if that parent objects to the content; however, if my child is in that class, that parent best not try to censor it for my child...

Parents have to make these decisions, and schools should honor their opinions for their own child. It is, however, very different when a parent tries to control what other children are reading....

I hope this makes sense...

Oh right durrr i get it (tries to put tired child addled brain into gear!!) We are supposed to do 10 each!! I thought we all had to just add one thing every parent should know!!! I am sooooo not with it! ~I shall endeavor to compile an impressive list of my own this evening.....

Although some great ones already mentioned!

I can't come up with ten off the top of my head but every daughter's parent would wish for someone like Edward. Bella tries her best to seduce him before they get married and even after their honeymoon night covered in bruises, he tries to do what's is best for her. The times have changed it was over a century ago (1901).

I adore your answer. I am in total agreeance with you. My ten year old SD has been begging me to read these, and take her to the movie. My husband and I considered it, but I just don't think SOME of the stuff in the books are appropriate for her. Not saying that other ten year old tweens aren't prepared to read it, but she struggles with things that are way beyond her age already (weight, boyfriends, ect..), not by my husband or my choice (it's a divored choice), and we are afraid that the intensity of the scenarios in the books are going to be too much for her. If Steve, my DH, had his way, his two girls from his previous marriage would be in the Cabbage Patch stage forever!

1. There is no explicit language or detailed sexual content.
2. The main characters are teenagers, so it is geared towards the teens audience.
3. Learn how to be more sympathetic to people who may be a little different.
4. First love is a wonderful, frightening thing. Your teen could sympathise with the characters and maybe learn that what they are feeling is not exclusive to them, but that other teens feel the same way.
5. Courage to take a chance and not always go with the norm.
6. Your teen may fall head over heals with a fictional character!
7. Reading is fun, beats playing video games or sitting in front of the T.V.
8. The books promote the idea of waiting until marriage to consumate your relationship.
9. Since moms and teens will both fall into the "Twilight Trance", it is a great way to talk to one another and share something that they both love.
10. It's a wonderful love story between two people from two different worlds, but with love anything is possible.

1) No sex, although some mild sensuality
2) No drugs
3) Any violence is not graphic or gorry
4) Bella does her homework AND cooks!
5) No terrible teenage tantrums
6) The main characters in the book are not evil, although they are vampires or werewolves. They are vampires and werewolves with a sense of right and wrong.
7) Although vampires & werewolves are supernatural in nature, there is no reference to the occult, satan,etc.
No swearing or foul language
9) Bella graduates from High School
10) Your child will be reading!

~Top 10 things Parents Should Know About Twilight~

~ 1. There are no refferences to Satan, or the Occult.
~ 2. There is no bad language, or to many adult situations.
~ 3. The characters are black and white, Good vs. Bad.. There are no grey areas.
~ 4. Although some of the characters are vampires and werewolves, they have a profound sense of right vs. wrong... Most do right.
~ 5. The romance between the main characters is highly moral, and presents morals and values that I would want to pass on to my own children. ( My opinion of course. )
~ 6. There is no drugs, or explicit sex.
~ 7. It gives a chance for familes to speak of morals, and typical teenage behavior, and values.
~ 8. There are wonderful moments where the story truly takes you into the fairytale... And allows you're imagination to go wild.... Actually the whole story will do this... This is called the "Twilight" zone lol
~ 9. There is nothing that would give nightmares, even the bad guys aren't all that scary.
~10. It is a wonderful book to read as a family, and any kid or adult who picks it up, will always want more.... GREAT for kid's who may not be "into" reading... Once they pick the first book up, they won't put it down