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An Episode of Sparrows

(1955, Fiction - Literary Fiction, Written by Rumer Godden)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Lovely, moving literary classic set post-WWII.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The heroine lies and steals.

  • Violence:

    Children fight.

  • Sex:

    Lovejoy's mother makes her wait out on the stairs while she has men in her room.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Both children and adults drink and smoke.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About An Episode of Sparrows

Parents need to know that this is about London street children just after World War II. They smoke, drink, and fight, though it's mostly just referenced and not described.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the idea of the transformative power of gardening. Why might a tough urchin such as Lovejoy be so obsessed with creating a garden? What is her power over Tip? Why do Olivia and Angela have such opposite reactions to what Lovejoy is up to? How is this book different from modern stories you read?
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