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Cover of The Guardians

The Guardians

Lynn Abbey (1982)

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

ViolenceMild
Sexual contentNone
LanguageNone

Trigger warnings

Death of ParentAbandonment

Positive tags

Coming of AgeSelf-DiscoveryFish out of WaterJourney

Hero archetypes

OrphanFish out of Water

Protagonist archetypes

Coming-of-Age ProtagonistReluctant Hero

Tropes

Coming of AgeFish out of WaterOrphanDystopian FutureQuestTwo Worlds

Themes

Coming of AgeIdentityBelongingTechnology vs NatureClass DivideLoss and GriefSurvival

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 coming-of-age story set in a divided future England with mild peril as a boy adjusts to a new rural life after losing his parents. Themes of loss and displacement are handled gently.

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

Kids who love stories about starting over in a new place and discovering who they are will find this boy's journey from city to countryside compelling.

Tags

DystopianPost-ApocalypticSocial Commentary