Parents' Guide to

Lionboy

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Brilliant premise -- so-so execution.

Book Zizou Corder Fantasy 2005
Lionboy Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 2+

Based on 1 parent review

MountainMom
MountainMom Parent of 7 and 9-year-old
February 8, 2009
age 2+

The AudioCD Version: A fantastic way for the whole family to enjoy car rides

Our family just finished listening to the audio CD on car rides (to/from school, lessons, etc). Our 9 year old thoroughly enjoyed it, as have my husband and I. Our 7 year old fell asleep a couple of times - some of the descriptive paragraphs drag a bit. I was worried it would be too adult for the kids, but was mostly relieved. There were two references to drunkenness (once as a part of the circus act & once a police officer was drunk). The premise in general carries a lingering threat of violence (Charlie's parents are kidnapped and there is a bad man that is chasing Charlie...and, of course, lions are wild animals), but that threat never comes to anything that caused a problem or concern. Charlie and many of the people he interacts with are smart and clever. Fascinating & entertaining information about circus life and the futuristic state of the world, with most beings (cats & humans) that Charlie encounters being supportive and good. All in all, a great tale. We can't wait to listen to the sequel.
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What's the Story?

In a slightly future world where pollution and asthma are rampant and cars are banned, Charlie's scientist parents are kidnapped. Pursued by their thuggish kidnapper, Rafi, and unwittingly carrying the formula for which they were taken, Charlie sets out to rescue them. Though his chances seem remote, he has one thing working in his favor: he can talk with cats, and cats all over the world, who know more about his parents than he does, are motivated to help him out.

He hooks up with a floating circus headed to France, where the cats say his parents have been taken, and meets a family of lions longing for escape. While working as the liontamer's helper he plots a way to arrange the lions' return to Africa while following his parents, who are now headed to Venice. But Rafi is closing in.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (5):

It's a brilliant premise that should have worked. You have a boy who can talk to cats (and lions!), a floating circus and later the Orient Express for settings, a child out to rescue both lions and his parents, a touch of fantasy, and an adventure spanning the width of Europe. It does eventually start to work, but only about three-quarters of the way through.

The whole thing has the pacing of a fly in honey -- lots of buzzing, but not getting much of anywhere. It might have worked if Charlie had some personality or voice or humor, but he's pretty much a cipher -- Our Hero Who Speaks to Cats. Those children who make it to the end will be rewarded by a very exciting last section and a cliffhanger ending, and will want the sequel immediately. But many kids won't get that far.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the future imagined in this series. How is it similar to and different from the world today? Do you think it's a pessimistic or optimistic view of the future? Does it seem plausible, given the situation of the world today?

Book Details

  • Author: Zizou Corder
  • Genre: Fantasy
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Dial Books
  • Publication date: February 6, 2005
  • Number of pages: 273
  • Last updated: June 30, 2015

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