Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Protagonist archetypes
Synopsis
When their son Jacob, who died tragically at his 8th birthday party in 1966, arrives on their doorstep, still 8 years old, Harold and Lucille Hargrave must navigate a strange new reality as chaos erupts around the world as people's loved ones are returned from beyond.
Is The Returned appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
Parents should know this book deals with profound themes of death, grief, and loss as deceased loved ones mysteriously return to life. The emotional weight of processing trauma and navigating impossible choices may be intense for younger readers.
What to know going in
This book has mild violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include emotional abuse, death of child, death, and grief.
Who'll love this
Teens will find the mystery of people returning from death compelling and thought-provoking, exploring what it means to lose and regain those you love.