Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
"This is a story of courage, of sacrifice, and of survival. This is the story of a rat and a boy whose fates become inextricably linked as their two worlds collide. Eften, a bold young ratling, dares to journey above the underground rat kingdom, where he discovers Dr. Ross-Gibbon's plan to exterminate the rat population. Dogboy, assistant to Dr. Ross-Gibbon, is an abandoned thirteen-year-old with a gift for understanding animals. As war wages between the human world and the rat kingdom. Doyboy must decide where his allegiances truly lie."
Is The twyning appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 10 and up.
Middle grade adventure featuring war between humans and rats with moderate violence (extermination plot, battle scenes) but age-appropriate treatment. Themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and choosing sides make it thought-provoking for upper elementary readers.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include animal death, animal harm, and violence (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Kids who love animal stories and adventures will enjoy this tale of a brave rat and a boy who must choose sides in an epic war.