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- violent & weird
- female lead
- fighting
- phrases like “slit their throats”
- slightly disturbing artwork
Type: beginner chapter book
Ages: 7-9
Author: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Illustrator: Alexander Boiger
We read this book because it was in Sonlight’s bundle for ages 5 & 6. It had plenty of suspense and adventure which was just fine for that age! But the meanness and name-calling were difficult (or impossible) to read aloud.
The beginning of the book was so violent and weird that I considered stopping it all together until I realized it softened some after a while.
Yes, it’s cool that Roxie stood up to bullies. And in a good, kind, and brave way.
Yes, the dramatic unknowns of the book made it a page turner of sorts.
But do we really have to talk like that? In a kids’ book?
Sigh, we’ve had better read-alouds.
