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Cover of Spider Sparrow

Spider Sparrow

Dick King-Smith (2000)

SubgenreChildren's Fantasy
Age groupMiddle Grade 8-12
Content ratingPG
Pages (Quick Read (<250))
Setting
CSM age8
Goodreads3.97
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Content levels

ViolenceMild
Sexual contentNone
LanguageNone

Trigger warnings

AbandonmentAbleismMental IllnessWar

Positive tags

Coming of AgeHeartwarmingFound FamilySelf-DiscoveryHopeful Ending

Hero archetypes

OrphanComing-of-Age Hero

Protagonist archetypes

Coming-of-Age ProtagonistOutcast / Loner

Tropes

Coming of AgeFound FamilyFish out of WaterMentor FigureOrphanAnimal Companion

Themes

Coming of AgeAcceptanceDifference and DisabilityFound FamilyHuman-Animal ConnectionRural LifeWartime Resilience

Synopsis

Spider, a baby abandoned on an English farm, grows up to be mentally slower than other children but manifests a remarkable talent for communicating with animals as he comes of age during World War II.

Is Spider Sparrow appropriate for my child?

Suitable for most readers 8 and up.

A gentle coming-of-age story about a boy with developmental disabilities who discovers his gift for communicating with animals during WWII. Themes of abandonment, disability, and wartime setting are handled sensitively.

What to know going in

This book has mild violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include abandonment, ableism, and mental illness (see the full list above).

Who'll love this

Kids who love animals will be enchanted by Spider's magical ability to talk with all the creatures on the farm.

Tags

Historical FantasyAnimal FantasyDisability RepresentationPastoral Fiction