Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat
Acceptable with guidance. Age: 9+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
A funny, Dahl-style fantasy in which a lonely, overlooked girl finds courage and friends. The magic is story-world magic: talking rats and a bite that shrinks you, no spells or occult practice. The honest reservation is the rat's advice to try being bad. The book means stand up for yourself, and a parent should say that out loud.
For parents
Read aloud from 7. A child can read it alone from about 9. Kirkus says 9 to 12. Ask what the rat really meant by try being bad, and how standing up for yourself differs from disobeying. Ask who noticed Emmy when no one else did.