The Book of Boy (2020) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

There are no romantic or sexual situations in the book, maintaining a focus on the platonic bond between the two main travelers. The narrative contains no sexual references, innuendo, or nudity. Even as Boy and Secundus navigate crowded cities like Avignon or Rome, the focus remains strictly on their religious quest. The story remains entirely appropriate for its middle grade audience in this regard. There are no scenes of attraction, flirtation, or physical intimacy between any characters encountered on their…

Moderate for the age group. The book contains descriptions of the physical toll of the plague, including swollen glands and corpses. A central scene features the 'Flagellants,' a group of people whipping themselves with knotted cords in a public square as penance. There are moments of animal peril, such as a wolf attack, and Secundus occasionally uses physical force or threats to keep Boy in line. The quest for relics involves tomb-robbing and high-stakes chases that occasionally result in scrapes, bruises, and…

Very mild. Includes period-appropriate insults like 'imbecile', 'scoundrel', or 'fool' and frequent mentions of 'hell' in a theological context, but no modern profanity. Characters often use religious exclamations common to the 1350s, such as 'God's blood' or similar mild oaths. The antagonist and various townspeople may speak harshly to Boy, but the vocabulary remains within the bounds of a standard Middle Grade novel. There are no slurs or vulgarities beyond the historical 'beast' labels applied to Boy's…

Light historical usage. Characters consume wine with meals as was common in the 14th century, as water was often unsafe to drink. Boy and Secundus stop at various inns where ale and wine are mentioned as standard provisions alongside bread and cheese. There is no depiction of intoxication, addiction, or recreational drug use. The focus remains on sustenance rather than the effects of alcohol. These moments are purely atmospheric, reflecting the reality of medieval travel and the scarcity of safe resources during a…

Heavy focus on religious relics, the afterlife, and physical deformity. The protagonist struggles with intense self-loathing due to his hunchback and is frequently bullied by others who call him a monster. The story explores the weight of the Black Death on society and the desperate measures people take for salvation. Boy's journey is one of self-discovery and the rejection of labels placed upon him by others. Spiritual questions about the nature of angels, saints, and the divine are woven throughout the…