Is this book series appropriate for an 11 year old in terms of reading level and symbology. Any use of sexism, racism, poor messaging etc? Conversely, did you find that there were great messages, interesting and relatable characters? Any info would be appreciated. Thank you 🙂
by dubiousbutterfly
1 Comment
Eleven is exactly the right age. The Christmas (or midwinter, if your Christmas is a summer one) as close as possible to the reader’s eleventh birthday is the **perfect** start. The primary protagonist, Will, experiences it just like that.
As for finding suss things in the text, they’re old books – written late-60s to early-70s – and sometimes you can tell they’re old. That said, there is nothing too horrible in it. Certainly not by any of the characters we’re supposed to want to feel good about. The most overt racism I can think of is some bullies being unkind to an Indian boy about his family…but the cruelty in that scene is explicitly called out **as** racist, and shown for the unacceptable behaviour it is.
They’re wonderful books. They’re beautiful. The fate of John Rowlands at the end has stayed with me all my life.