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King Matt the First

(2004, Fiction - Literary Fiction, Written by Janusz Korczak)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    Boy king tries to give kids same rights as adults.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Many of the adults are venal and duplicitous. The parts of the story dealing with Africa can be taken as racist by modern standards (see Common Sense Note).

  • Violence:

    Matt goes to war and finds out what it's really like.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Adults drink and smoke.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About King Matt the First

Parents need to know that this book, written in Poland in the 1920s, is very much a product of its time. Some passages may, by today's standards, be considered by some to be racist. African kings and tribes are depicted, in some ways, as uncivilized and primitive, but the African king is portrayed as morally superior to the white kings. Also, the African king's daughter strikes some pretty convincing blows for feminism.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about morals and leadership. How does Matt's youth help him in his duties as king? How does it make things more difficult? Why are the adults so threatened by him? What are some of his better ideas? What important lessons does he learn? What do you think he'd be like if he continued to rule until he was an elderly man?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Dotty13
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Must read book for people of all ages

    I just loved this book it was both funny and intriging. Both stupid and insitful! Must Read

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    iambriana
    Lives in South Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    This review...

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

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