When to read, "Screwtape Letters"?

[Kathie in VA]

I will be returning to Ancients this year w/my 4 kiddos (k, 4th, 8th and 9th grades). In addition to each of their lit or GB studies I was thinking of adding in a few additional read alouds like Screwtape Letters and Best Things in Life. I was thinking the SL would lead to good discussions on sin... which started with the curse back in Genesis. But now I see that it was written in 1944 around WWII, so now I'm wondering if it would be better to wait till that time period to really appreciate it?

[CynthiaOK]

Personally, I would not worry about putting Screwtape Letters into a historical time slot. I think it would be more effective to determine the readiness of your students to receive the message of SL. The message is timeless...it transcends all historical eras. Our summer reading club enjoyed Screwtape Letters as well as Mere Christianity last year. The audience was high school mostly with my younger boys thrown into the mix. My youngers got a taste of Lewis, but we will definitely re-read these when they are older.

[Laurie in CA]

You should read "Screwtape Letters" when your child can "get" that it's a Christian book. Not kidding here.....I know a bright senior in high school who didn't know it was a Christian book and neither did his mother.

[choirfarm]

Hey guys,

FYI, Focus on the Family is doing a radio theater based on this book. Them man that played Gollum (sp?) in Lord of the Rings is playing a major role...Screwtape, I think. I've never read the book, but I plan to when we do TOG Year 4.

Christine

[Linda1951]

nt

[Lux Et Veritas Academy]

We tried in 8th, but it was just confusing- I will attempt in High School again at some point!

[Lori D.]

Just this past year, we read Screwtape Letters aloud together and discussed / enjoyed around the dinner table about 2 nights a week. DSs were 9th/10th grades (ages 15/16yo). I wouldn't suggest it as a light extra or a solo read -- I doubt our DSs (who are no slouches when it comes to worldview and literature) would have gotten much out of the Screwtape Letters doing it on their own. I also don't think they would have gotten much out of it much before this year, either.

But done together as a family to spark some conversation at the dinner table -- wonderful! Enjoy! Warmly, Lori D.