Avatar The Last Airbender – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Avatar The Last Airbender

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2019

94%

WISE Score

The gang is back to handle the awkward growing pains of a world moving from war to industrial politics—and it actually feels like the show.

Avatar The Last Airbender

book

2019

94%

WISE Score

The gang is back to handle the awkward growing pains of a world moving from war to industrial politics—and it actually feels like the show.

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Screenwise Verdict

If your kid is currently in the 'I finished the show and now my life has no meaning' slump, hand them this. This isn't a cheap licensed cash-grab; it's a legit continuation that handles the transition from a world at war to a world trying to industrialize with the same heart and humor as the original series.

It specifically solves the 'what happened next' itch while setting the stage for the more modern world we see in Korra. It’s a masterclass in how to expand a universe without breaking the magic that made it work in the first place.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 8–14 crowd who loved the show. It's written at a middle-grade level, but the themes are sophisticated enough that adult fans of the franchise won't feel like they're reading a 'baby book.'

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Maintains the show's core themes of diplomacy, restorative justice, and deep-rooted friendship while tackling the messy realities of post-war reconstruction.

Imaginative

Expands the world-building by showing the early industrialization of the Four Nations, turning the 'magic' of bending into a source of social and economic friction.

Safe

Standard ATLA action—stylized bending battles and some civil unrest, but nothing that exceeds the intensity of the original Nickelodeon series.

Enriching

Introduces sophisticated concepts like industrial displacement and systemic prejudice in a way that's actually accessible for middle-grade readers.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Faith Erin Hicks nails the character voices; Aang, Sokka, and Toph sound exactly like they did on screen.
It bridges the gap between the original series and The Legend of Korra by showing the birth of Republic City.
Toph and her metalbending academy get some much-needed spotlight and character development.
Explores complex social issues like bender/non-bender inequality without becoming a dry history lesson.

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What to Watch For

The conflict is more political and philosophical than 'bad guy wants to burn the world,' which might feel slower for kids expecting constant combat.
There are scenes of civil unrest and angry mobs that mirror real-world protests, which might require some context for younger readers.

Conversation Starters

"Why do the non-benders feel like they're being treated unfairly in a world of magic?"
"Aang has to make a choice he can't undo. Have you ever had to make a big decision where there was no perfect answer?"
"How is Cranefish Town starting to look like the modern world we live in today?"
"If you lived in this world but couldn't bend an element, how would you feel about the Avatar?"

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