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Tropes
Synopsis
In a quaint New England town with a history of witches and pilgrims, misunderstood eleven-year-old Norman Babcock can see and talk to ghosts. No one believes him, of course-everyone just thinks he's weird (including his parents). But when a folktale of a witch who cursed her accusers turns out to be true, it's up to Norman to save the town from pilgrim zombies! He'll also have to take on a very angry witch, an annoying sidekick, his boy-crazy teenage sister, and dozens of moronic grown-ups who get in his way. This young ghoul whisperer finds his paranormal talents pushed to their otherworldly limits in this hilarious and spooky adventure!
Is ParaNorman appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 10 and up.
Kids can expect a lighthearted supernatural adventure with mild spooky elements including zombies and a witch, but the tone is comedic rather than scary. Some themes of social isolation and being misunderstood by family and peers.
What to know going in
This book has mild violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include death and bullying.
Who'll love this
Middle graders will love the humor, spooky-but-not-scary zombies, and a kid hero who uses his weird abilities to save the day when adults won't listen.