Parents' Guide to

I Am Number Four: Lorien Legacies, Book 1

By Carrie R. Wheadon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Super-powered fugitive alien finds high school romance.

Book Pittacus Lore Science Fiction 2010
I Am Number Four: Lorien Legacies, Book 1 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 6 parent reviews

Nintendo M.
Nintendo M. Adult
May 27, 2018
age 11+

I loved it but i am a 11 year old and its the best

This title has:

Educational value
Susan B.
Susan B. Parent of 10 and 13-year-old
January 16, 2018
age 12+

Great book for early teens

Both my daughters loved this book, but it was a-bit easy for them. Although it has some faults, such as swearing and violence, it has very good themes and morals. I would recommend it to anyone through the age of 11-14.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

The story of a cute alien finding both love and his superpowers while on the run from not-so-cute aliens -- that's probably the tagline that sold the movie rights. Here are a few more details: John is one of 18 to leave the planet Lorien before the evil Mogadorians completely destroyed it. The survivors made it to Earth and spilt up -- nine kids with nine mentors who must stay on the run from Mogadorians on Earth who want to finish the job. Thanks to a charm, each kid has a number and can only be destroyed in order. Three are dead as Number Four heads to Paradise, Ohio with his mentor Henri, who is waiting for John to develop his superpowers so he can begin to train him. Henri is thrilled when John's hands start to mysteriously glow, but John's training gets in the way of his romance with Sarah and friendship with Sam, who has an odd fascination with aliens already. Then, one of Sam's conspiracy newsletters -- printed only hours away -- mentions the Mogadorians. Are the evil aliens already hot on their trail?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (6 ):
Kids say (71 ):

Though the mish-mash of genres keeps I AM NUMBER FOUR from any real complexity, the various elements seem to blend together quite well. Only at the end, as expected, do readers get the all-out alien slug-fest.

John is a solid, good-hearted character, and his relationship with his mentor Henri is touching. Love interest Sarah seems to lose her depth as the story goes forward -- maybe it's the too-quick acceptance of who John really is that does it. But other teen characters grow in surprising ways. And there are just enough surprises and suspense to propel readers through the series -- and into theaters to see the film.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about superpowers. Why do you think stories about superhuman abilities are so popular? What sort of similarities do you see in the protagonists?

  • If you read the book first, does it make you want to see the movie? If you see the movie first, what drew you to the book? Did Hollywood get it right? What -- if anything -- would you have changed?

Book Details

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