Burn

Real-world violence includes gunshots, stabbing, and fights with kicking, punching, choking. Police brutality: hitting and breaking bones with a baton, sexual assault, pistol whipping. Blood and pain described briefly. Fantasy violence includes large-scale destruction and massive deaths and casualties that mention burning human flesh and fat, using blood for a magic ritual, and humans being eaten and burned to death by a dragon. A past attempted sexual assault is remembered, described vaguely as a man "taking himself out" and trying to force the victim's face downward.

A few kisses, one same-sex and a couple opposite- sex. One kiss is described briefly. Having a "woody" mentioned. Caressing below the waist mentioned but not described. Some romantic feelings and dynamics.

"F--ker," "s--tbag," "hell," "goddammit," "slut," "whore," "dipstick," and the homophobic slur "fruit."

A bad guy chews tobacco; there's an unpleasant description of his spit. A good guy smokes once or twice; a couple of mentions of the smell.

Parents need to know that Burn is a dragon fantasy set in the United States in the 1950s by veteran YA author Patrick Ness. Fantasy violence is mostly large-scale destruction by a dragon burning people and buildings, and eating people and animals. There's no gore, but burning flesh and fat are mentioned. Real-world violence includes fights and some police brutality, with mention of broken bones, blood, and brief or vague descriptions of pain. A past attempted sexual assault is remembered. Weapons include guns, rifles, and blades as well as military guns and artillery. There are a few kisses and a same-sex relationship that mentions caressing below the waist and implied sex. Strong language isn't frequent but includes "f--ker," "s--tbag," "slut," and "fruit." A mixed-race main character and an important character who's parents are from Japan provide positive representations. Systemic and individual, personal racism are not a central theme, but examples show how both kinds are part of the characters' lives. The Cold War setting and the launching of a Russian spy satellite may inspire curiosity about the history of U.S.-Soviet relations and the early days of the space race.