[sweetwater]

I read LotF and The Old Man and the Sea and most of Moby Dick when I was maybe 10 or 12. Had a squarish blue dictionary that I kept nearby, but loved the stories. Later when I reread them I was surprised that the authors had added all sorts of complexities and references. I swear they weren't there the first time through... Anyway, my father saw me reading Moby Dick and swore at me, saying I was too young to understand it. I still have not picked it up again. Based on my experience, then, I'd say let kids read whether they'll get it all or not. It's worth the depth of experience one may get later. And if picking from a list helps, do it.