The Borrowers
Acceptable with guidance. Age: 9+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
The Borrowers are tiny people who live under the floor of an old house and quietly take small things from the humans upstairs. A girl Borrower named Arrietty makes friends with a human boy, even though being seen is very dangerous. When the grumpy cook finds them, the little family is in big trouble. A charming, imaginative classic, though the Borrowers' taking without asking is worth a talk. Age 9, set by the publisher's 9-12 range (Common Sense Media says 7+).
For parents
Age 9, set by the publisher's 9-12 range (Common Sense Media says 7+; the higher publisher age wins; Lumen's read-alone age is also 9). Read it aloud from 6. The Borrowers call it borrowing, but they take things without asking. Ask: is it borrowing if you never ask and never give it back? The cook, Mrs Driver, locks the Boy in his room and calls a rat catcher to smoke the family out, which can frighten young listeners. The ending leaves it unclear whether they escaped. Praise the Boy, who breaks open a grating so they can get away.