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The Da Vinci Code

(2006, Fiction - Contemporary Fiction, Written by Dan Brown)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Too arcane for younger kids, better for adults.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Murder, theft, deception. Protagonist, however, remains virtuous. Anti-Catholic assertions.
  • Violence :

    Several brutal murders, a splayed, naked dead body, and a cilice (essentially a spiked chain) tightened around a characters thigh at all times.
  • Sex :

    References to ritualistic sex in front of an audience of followers.
  • Language:

    Mild profanity.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some alcohol use.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Da Vinci Code

Parents need to know that this book was intended for adults. In addition to ritualistic sex, brutal murders, and self-abuse, the book contains ideas that may be intellectually confusing for kids, and even many adults.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the religious themes and the book's hypothesis. What do kids think would be different if the story was true? Did they wonder if there was any truth to it? How does the author tell his audience -- besides labeling the book fiction -- that this is a story and not an alternative version of the truth? Readers who have seen the movie may be interested in comparing and contrasting the two, and discussing how controversy sells.
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Poorly Written? What's WRONG With You?!!!

    I simply can't believe that common sense disregarded this book as "poorly written." IT'S GENIOUS! Dan Brown's ideas are well-thought out, abd the novel amounts to a pulse-pounding, hari-raising and incredibly complex thriller. Each time you think that you have it figured out, it throws another curveball and keeps you guessing. And Dan Brown has written it wonderfully, Common Sense must have read it with their eyes closed. As for the content, it's a little violent but not much else. Of course, there will be those that find the book insulting because it doesn;t exactly follow their religion, but they just need to keep an open mind and realize that it's a FICTIONAL NOVEL!!! And, before I forget, let me tell you to read the book and skip the film. I don't know how it happened with people like Tom Hanks and Ron Howard at the wheel, but the film just kinda sucks.

  2. Teen Reviewer
    Age 17
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0

    Wonderfully complex, but the last chapter did fall short. A mature 12 year old who is an advanced reader could handle it with no problems. Some 12 year olds could not, though. It depends on the kid in question. It's great for those 12 year olds bored with books that are their grade level. Great for adults and teenagers as well.

  3. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0

    Fantastic!

    Though not Dan Brown's best piece of literature, The DaVinci Code offers an intricate plot that will captivate the reader. A lot of stigma surrounds the "anti-catholic" devices Brown uses, it must be remembered that this is a novel, and nowhere does it claim to be otherwise (Brown states that references to geography and artifacts are correct, which seems logical since it's a work of realistic/historical fiction). For anyone looking to be entertained in a way that won't rot your brain cells, Brown has you covered.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title off for age 12 and give it 5.0

    Excellent Book, but Not for Kids

    The Da Vinci Code is a gripping page-turner filled with deception, intrigue, history lessons, and some fascinating puzzles. I was shocked to hear kids as young as twelve talking about reading it and its companion, Angels and Demons. While the content is appropriate for readers over the age of thirteen, the complexity of the story makes it suitable for only 16+. Wait and have your kids read it then, they will understand and appreciate it more.

  5. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    A good fiction read

    I found the story so gripping and intresting that I read the whole thing in about a week. It's a great work of fiction, being a cristian myself I had to laugh at some of the aspects of it but it's more of a "What if" book, rather than Mr. Brown making accusations.

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