First Ladies (2023) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

The book focuses on the emotional complexities of marriage and friendship rather than graphic content. Eleanor Roosevelt's discovery of Franklin's affair with Lucy Mercer serves as a recurring source of internal conflict and martial distance, though the betrayal is explored through letters and conversations rather than physical scenes. The text alludes to the rumors surrounding Eleanor’s intimate relationship with journalist Lorena Hickok, emphasizing their profound emotional connection and shared life. There is a…

The violence in the novel is largely systemic and psychological, reflecting the brutal reality of Jim Crow America. A significant and harrowing scene features Mary McLeod Bethune standing her ground against a Ku Klux Klan march at her school, which highlights the constant threat of lethal force. References to lynchings and physical assaults against the Black community serve as the high-stakes backdrop for the political maneuvering. The narrative also touches on the global violence of World War II and the specific…

The language is largely formal and reflective of the early to mid-20th-century setting, with low overall frequency of profanity. Occasional use of 'hell' or 'damn' occurs during moments of high political or personal frustration. Period-accurate terminology such as 'colored' and 'Negro' is used throughout to reflect the historical context of segregation and civil rights discourse. While these terms are not used as slurs in a derogatory sense by the protagonists, they reflect the racial hierarchy of the time. The…

Substance use is depicted as a standard component of 1930s and 40s social and political life. Characters are frequently seen consuming wine, sherry, and cocktails during White House functions, formal dinners, and private meetings. Franklin D. Roosevelt is often described with his characteristic cigarette holder, and smoking is common among many secondary characters in social settings. The consumption of alcohol is never portrayed as an addiction or a source of reckless behavior, but rather as a social lubricant…

The novel explores heavy and sophisticated themes centered on the intersection of race, gender, and power. The central focus is the profound friendship between Mary McLeod Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt as they navigate the fight for civil rights and women's equality. Themes of political betrayal and personal sacrifice are prominent, particularly as the women balance their public duties with private grief. The text unflinchingly examines the injustice of segregation, the failure of the anti-lynching bill, and the…