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Cover of The Guardians

The Guardians

John Farris (1964)

SubgenreHigh Fantasy
Age groupMiddle Grade 8-12
Content ratingPG
Pages (Standard (250-400))
Setting
CSM age10
Goodreads3.0
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Content levels

ViolenceMild
Sexual contentNone
LanguageNone

Trigger warnings

Death of ParentAbandonment

Positive tags

Coming of AgeSelf-DiscoveryFound FamilyAdventure

Hero archetypes

OrphanFish out of WaterComing-of-Age Hero

Protagonist archetypes

Coming-of-Age ProtagonistReluctant Hero

Tropes

Coming of AgeFish out of WaterQuestSecondary WorldRebellionFound Family

Themes

Coming of AgeFreedom vs ControlRural vs UrbanIdentityClass StruggleBelongingEscape

Synopsis

In the divided England of the distant future, a recently-orphaned boy flees the sprawling area known as the Conurb for the serene world of the County where the people seem to live a simpler existence.

Is The Guardians appropriate for my child?

Suitable for most readers 10 and up.

A middle-grade dystopian fantasy about an orphaned boy seeking a better life. Contains loss of parents and the challenges of adjusting to a new world, but is appropriate for ages 10+.

What to know going in

This book has mild violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include death of parent and abandonment.

Who'll love this

Readers will root for a brave orphan escaping a crowded city for a mysterious countryside where life seems better.

Tags

Dystopian ElementsSocial CommentaryPost-Apocalyptic