Parents need to know that if your kids are already afraid of clowns, this book isn't going to help. There is a very creepy circus, complete with odd clowns. Other scary situations include kidnapping, hypnotism, and addiction to a mysterious substance. Parents will love the story's emphasis on friendship, loyalty, and family, but there are also plenty of mischievous adults whose actions put children in danger.
Positive messages:The main characters display loyalty, friendship, love, and bravery despite odd, scary, and dangerous circumstances.
Violence:A boy is almost crushed to death by a yeti. A wild animal eats several sheep. A man threatens a child with a sword. A girl is tied up and held captive in a railroad car. Orphaned boys fight with large bones as a gang initiation. Rival gangs fight, hold each other captive, and injure each other during a game. Scary situations including mind control, a tiger that may or may not eat people, as well as adults in charge of an orphanage boxing children's ears.