Parents' Guide to

The Book of Three

By Mark Nichol, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Adolescents take to this swashbuckling adventure.

Book Lloyd Alexander Fantasy 2006
The Book of Three Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 10+

Based on 4 parent reviews

William D.
William D. Parent of 4 and 9-year-old
April 16, 2018
age 9+

Plenty positive

I read this book (and this series) when I was a kid, and recently read it to my nine-year-old. It was one of the first books I read where I truly felt for the characters, and really hurt when one of them died (no spoilers on who specifically, and that's later in the series at any rate). There are plenty of positive messages - standing up for what's right, even when it's difficult; lessons in humility, friendship and perseverance; The Black Cauldron (the second book, which doesn't show up on this site, so I'll mention it here) has a very striking underlying message on understanding bullying and why people might behave the way they do. Anyway, this series is well worth a read. It has its laughs and its triumphal moments, and those are timeless.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Juan P.
Juan P. Adult
December 12, 2016
age 10+

The Book of Three

I think this is a really good book because it is like a movie when you read it,it feels like if you are in it because it tells you every detail about the book. The conflict is also great, Taran is a young boy who is on a quest to become a hero and find a special thing but an evil guy wanted it to so he tried to get to it first.So the conflict was Who would get the thing first.

This title has:

Too much violence
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What's the Story?

A youth impatient to escape his sheltered, uneventful life becomes embroiled in a conflict between the forces of good and evil. Taran, jokingly called an assistant pig-keeper for his role in caring for a magical sow at the farm of the enchanter Dallben, is one of the most appealing of heroes, and all too human in his shortcomings.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (5):

Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper, is one of the great heroes of literature for older children. Impatient, hot-tempered, and clumsy, he is much more accessible than mighty warriors such as his idol, Gwydion, although that character also appeals because of his kindness and humility. Taran possesses another quality common to the best young characters: He may fall far short of his aspirations, but in recognizing his flaws he is able in some measure to overcome them.

Once he leaves the comfort of home, Taran suspects everyone he meets. But he comes to recognize that each one of his companions would give his or her own life for the others, and that he would do the same for any of them. The other characters, too, are engaging: the charmingly exasperating Eilonwy ("I hate crying; it makes my nose feel like a melted icicle!"), the truth-stretching Flfewddur Fflam, and the hairball-like but devoted Gurgi.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about aspirations, glory, and honor. Do you ever feel like impatient Taran, eager to achieve glory? What are his strengths? What are his flaws? How does he challenge himself to overcome some of his flaws?

Book Details

  • Author: Lloyd Alexander
  • Genre: Fantasy
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Yearling Books
  • Publication date: May 16, 2006
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 12
  • Number of pages: 188
  • Last updated: July 12, 2017

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