I think it fair to say that a 12 year old may not have the mental framework to have much empathy for the portent of that novel. Even so, as she matures, those concepts from the novel will lead to an "understanding".
I read 1984. I know that I didn't understand it then, like I do now.
Truly, though, whether she did or didn't have the 'ability' or 'experience' to comprehend the political aspects of the novel is not really that critical to the premise of the article.
Funny, it seemed to me like the premise of the article was to justify the answer he gave to his daughter. In any event, I was simply commenting on what I believe to be her immaturity to properly comprehend the book at her age. I have no doubt she could write a book report and get an "A," but that's not what I'm talking about. My point was the very effect it had on her that so horrified her father. To me, her age made that effect inevitable.