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Cover of The Guardians

The Guardians

Richard Austin (1985)

SubgenreHigh Fantasy
Age groupMiddle Grade 8-12
Content ratingPG
Pages (Standard (250-400))
Setting
CSM age10
Goodreads4.01
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Content levels

ViolenceMild
Sexual contentNone
LanguageNone

Trigger warnings

AbandonmentDeath of Parent

Positive tags

Coming of AgeSelf-DiscoveryFound FamilyAdventure

Hero archetypes

OrphanFish out of Water

Protagonist archetypes

Coming-of-Age Protagonist

Tropes

Coming of AgeFish out of WaterDystopian SocietyTwo WorldsQuestOrphan Journey

Themes

Coming of AgeIdentityBelongingUrban vs Rural LifeClass DivideLoss and GriefFinding Home

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 recently orphaned boy escapes a sprawling urban dystopia for the simpler life of a rural county in divided future England. Themes of loss, belonging, and finding one's place in two contrasting worlds are appropriate for middle grade readers.

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 adventures about finding where you belong and discovering different worlds will enjoy this journey through future England.

Tags

DystopianSocial CommentaryBildungsroman