A Place to Hang the Moon
Acceptable with guidance. Age: 10+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
A tender wartime story about three orphans who keep faith with each other and are finally loved. Kindness answers cruelty, and a home is found. Church life sits quietly in the background. The reservations are a long, upsetting scene where boys are forced to club rats, and a book that calls small fibs fine when the goal is good.
For parents
Read aloud from 8, independent reading from 10. Common Sense Media and the publisher say 9 and up; preview the rat scene for sensitive readers. Ask why William feels he must carry everyone. Ask whether a fib is ever right, and talk about why the Church says lying is always wrong (CCC 2485).