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Barkbelly

(2006, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Cat Weatherill, Illustrated by Peter Brown)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Wooden boy seeks family in sprawling adventure.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    A mother rejects her son.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Fighting, accidental death of a child with blood mentioned, a sea battle, pirates murder, sailors are eaten by sharks, mentions of slitting a stomach and of limbs being cut off by ropes on a ship.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Barkbelly, a child, drinks and gets tipsy. Adults drink, smoke, and chew tobacco.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Barkbelly

Parents need to know that there are a few scenes of fighting, including a battle with swords in which blood is mentioned; some sailors fall from the battle to sharks waiting below; and a child is accidentally killed in a playground mishap when his head hits the ground, with blood also mentioned. Also, several times Barkbelly, about 10, is given alcohol by adults, which seems to be common in the world of the book, and gets briefly tipsy.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Barkbelly's quest for his own people and family. Why is this so important to him? Why is he so thrilled to learn that there are others like him? Why does he decide to return to his adoptive family, even knowing what awaits him there?
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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    BMTH.kid
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

    This good book yerrr

    I think this is a good book becuase it tells you alot about the imagination of some people and takesyou into a whole different world. It is aimed at young teens and older children becuase there is some scenes of disgusting stuff with blood n tingz innit peace out:) BMTH.kid@hotmail.co.uk

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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