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Once Dead, Twice Shy: Madison Avery, Book 1

(2009, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Kim Harrison)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Supernatural story without too much violence.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Some fantasy violence, a car accident in which a girl is killed but comes back to life, reapers take the lives of humans, a water-skiing accident with injury.

  • Sex:

    Some mentions of kissing.

  • Language:

    "Bitch" and "ass" used.

  • Consumerism:

    A sneaker brand is mentioned.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Once Dead, Twice Shy: Madison Avery, Book 1

Parents need to know that this is pretty mild for a young adult novel -- a bit of moderate cursing, some mild fantasy violence, and a car accident in which the main character is (sort of) killed. Some parents who have firm religious ideas about the afterlife may find this offensive.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the afterlife. Major religions and many stories, including this one, present ideas about the afterlife. What do you think of this one?
  • Is it anything like others you have heard or read about?
  • Is it anything like the way you think it will be? Is there any way to know?
  • The idea of hierarchies of higher and lower beings is not new -- why is that idea so common?
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