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Not the End of the World

(2006, Fiction - Folklore, Written by Geraldine McCaughrean)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Horrifyingly realistic portrayal of ark for teens.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Though the women are subservient to the men, they are also the only ones with any sense. Noah's family members are fanatics, contemptuous of the world and each other, and content to let humanity perish.

  • Violence:

    The human race drowns, bodies are floating everywhere, Noah's family beat survivors away with clubs, Shem beats and kicks his wife, a baby is killed by a mink, Noah orders his daughter killed.

  • Sex:

    A 12-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl are married. It is implied that they have sex.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some wine drinking and drunkenness. A 12-year-old is given quantities of wine before being forced to marry.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Not the End of the World

Parents need to know that this is an unrelentingly horrific portrayal of what it might have been like on the ark: many bodies, brutal behavior. The author raises complex issues of morality and faith, and provides no answers. Those with strong religious beliefs may find the portrait of Noah and his family as fanatics bordering on lunacy offensive.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the realism of this view of life on the Ark. What would it be like to have creatures of every sort imprisoned together in a small space for months? How could they be fed and cared for? How would the humans survive? Is there any way that Shem can be seen as a good man, worthy of saving while the rest of humanity perishes?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    bibliophile
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    PLEASE READ! WONDERFUL!

    This is a wonderful rendition of Noah's Ark. Made me really think past the story I've always been told and see what hardships Noah's family had to go through (I'm a Christian, so I really appreciate that this author wrote something that helps us relate to the people from the Bible). Definitely a must-read.

    This review...

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

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