Then (2011) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

There is no sexual content in this book. The relationship between Felix and Zelda is strictly a sibling-like bond formed by mutual survival and shared trauma. Even as they hide with Genia, the focus remains entirely on their physical safety and the preservation of their secret identities. No romantic subplots or sexual references occur throughout the narrative. The innocence of the child protagonists is preserved in this specific regard, despite the surrounding atmospheric horror.

The violence is frequent and emotionally heavy, reflecting the reality of the Holocaust. Scenes include Nazi soldiers shooting civilians, the public execution of a family for helping Jews, and the brutal killing of a pet dog. Felix and Zelda witness children being thrown into pits and families being torn apart by gunfire. While the prose is not overly descriptive of gore, the psychological weight and clinical nature of the killings are intense. The threat of lethal force is a constant presence from the train jump…

Language is very mild throughout the entire novel. There are occasional uses of period-appropriate insults or mild terms like 'pig' or 'stupid,' but profanity is essentially absent. The author relies on the gravity of the situation rather than strong language to convey emotion. Characters may use dehumanizing labels associated with Nazi ideology, but these are presented as evidence of the time's cruelty. Younger readers will not encounter modern vulgarity or obscenities.

Substance use is minimal and limited to historical context or survival necessity. Adults like Genia may occasionally be seen with tobacco or very small amounts of alcohol, but there is no focus on recreational use or intoxication. In one instance, a character might use a medicinal tonic, but it is never a focal point of the plot. The children are never exposed to substance abuse. The scarcity of food and basic resources makes the presence of such luxuries as alcohol quite rare in the story's setting.

The book explores heavy themes of genocide, antisemitism, loss of innocence, and the randomness of death. Felix struggles with his faith in his own imagination and 'stories' as a way to cope with the surrounding horror. The narrative also examines the moral complexity of those who risk their lives to hide others versus those who betray neighbors. The constant threat of betrayal creates a pervasive atmosphere of paranoia and psychological dread for the reader.