The Eagle of the Ninth
Acceptable with guidance. Age: 12+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
This is one of the best adventure novels written for young readers. A wounded soldier chooses a hard duty, frees his slave, and finds a friend for life. Honor and loyalty run through every chapter. The one reservation is the religion. The story is set in pagan Britain, and the hero prays to Mithras. A parent should frame that.
For parents
Read aloud from 10, independent reading from 12. Good Books for Catholic Kids places it at 12 to 13. Tell your child the story happens before Britain was Christian. Ask what Marcus is reaching for when he prays, and how we know the true God (CCC 28). Ask why Marcus frees Esca.