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Whittington

(2006, Fiction - Historical Fiction, Written by Alan Armstrong, Illustrated by S. Schindler)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Clever retelling of a legend, from the cat's POV.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Ben has tantrums when he throws books and knocks over furniture.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Some fighting and killing amongst the animals. A young boy fights off robbers with a knife, receiving a scar across his face.

  • Sex:

    Gelding is mentioned.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Bernie smokes cigars, children in the Middle Ages drink beer, opium and hashish are mentioned as trade goods.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Whittington

Parents need to know that a young boy is wounded in the face in a knife fight, and a chicken is killed by rats. One character smokes cigars, children in the Middle Ages drink beer, and opium and hashish are mentioned as trade goods.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the original story upon which this is based, and the differences between the reality and the legend. Also, how much of Dick's good fortune was due to the cat, and how much to his own efforts? How does his story parallel Ben's efforts to overcome his dyslexia? Some kids might also be interested in finding out more about the period, and about Marco Polo.
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