The Tale of Despereaux
Recommended. Age: 9+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
Despereaux is a tiny mouse who is not afraid of the things mice should fear. He loves a princess and a story about a brave knight. When a rat and a lonely servant girl steal the princess away, Despereaux goes down into the dark dungeon to save her. It is a story where forgiveness wins, with some sad and scary parts along the way. Age 9, set by Lumen's own independent-reading age; Common Sense Media says 8+ and the Catholic list's grades 5-8 fit with reading it aloud first.
For parents
Age 9, set by Lumen's independent-reading age. Common Sense Media says 8+; the Cardinal Newman Society lists it for grades 5-8. Read it aloud from 7. Hard parts: the queen's death, the jailer's death, Mig's father selling her, and her uncle hitting her. Talk about Roscuro's choice to forgive and be forgiven.