Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Book 1

The grandfather keeps a locker of guns, sleeps with his pistol, and is mauled to death by some mysterious force. Other people have guns and knives and threaten to use them, sheep are mauled, German bombs fall on the orphanage, the Peculiars are threatened by monsters, a townsman is mauled and drowned, monsters are compared to cannibalistic serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, and children fear being eaten. Also, how the prehistoric bog man died is described rather rigorously.

Some talk of Grandfather as an adulterer. In the time loop, Jacob falls for his grandfather's former girlfriend (she has not aged). They kiss on several occasions, hold hands, and admit their attraction for each other. At first, Jacob resists because he thinks it is kind of creepy, almost incestuous.

Words like "s--t," "a--hole," "p---hole," "bastard," "pr--k," "buggerloving arsehumper," etc.

Adults drink too much at times. The mother drinks wine, the father drinks too much beer when he is feeling like a failure. The main character's best friend smokes and drinks, and reference is made to his pothead cousins.

Parents need to know that this New York Times bestseller is unique, intriguing, and teens will find it hard to put down. The storyline is a bit complex, and the dark tone and violent acts blend realism with fantasy to a point that might be confusing to younger kids. The language is also a bit rough for younger readers, and there's mention of adultery and incest, as well as drinking too much to cover pain. Still, the book is fascinating, especially because the vintage photos make all the weirdness seem even eerier, and quite authentic. The book has been adapted for a movie directed by Tim Burton.