Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This is one of those rare middle grade books that works on multiple levels—it's a page-turner about kids on a mysterious island, but it's also a deeply moving meditation on growing up, responsibility, and the painful beauty of change.

Snyder doesn't talk down to her readers. The island is never fully explained, the ending leaves you with questions, and that's the point. It's an allegory that trusts kids to sit with ambiguity and draw their own conclusions about what it all means. Some readers will find that frustrating; others will find it profound.

The emotional weight is real. This book will make you cry—kids and parents both. It's about saying goodbye to your best friend, about taking on responsibilities you're not sure you're ready for, about the terror and inevitability of leaving the only home you've ever known. But it's not traumatic; it's tender and true.

If your kid is in that in-between space—old enough to feel the pull of growing up but scared of what comes next—this book will resonate deeply. Just be ready for some big conversations afterward.

Age Fit

Best for ages 9-13, especially kids who are starting to grapple with the idea that childhood doesn't last forever. The emotional sophistication and allegory work best for readers who can handle abstract thinking and open-ended stories. Too heavy for younger kids; older teens might find it a bit young unless they appreciate literary middle grade.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

78

A deeply emotional coming-of-age story that explores growing up, loss, and responsibility through a gentle lens. Models friendship, caregiving, and community living. The emotional weight is significant—dealing with separation from loved ones and the anxiety of change—but it's handled with tenderness rather than trauma. Common Sense Media parent reviews describe it as 'touching and sweet,' though it will absolutely make kids (and adults) feel things.

Imaginative

92

This is magical realism at its finest for middle grade readers. The mysterious island with its dancing shapes in the sky, the unexplained boat that comes once a year, the self-sustaining ecosystem—it's all deeply imaginative without over-explaining. Compared to Pax and The Giver, and praised by Rick Riordan as 'thought-provoking and magical.' The allegory invites readers to think symbolically about childhood, time, and transition. It's the kind of book that haunts you and sparks endless 'what if' conversations.

Safe

85

Very safe for its target audience. No violence, gore, or inappropriate content. The main 'safety' consideration is emotional—this book deals with separation anxiety, the loss of friends, and the fear of leaving home, which can be heavy for sensitive kids. One parent review notes it's 'not a book for kids whose parents have not addressed puberty with them,' suggesting there's age-appropriate acknowledgment of growing up. The unanswered questions and open-ended nature might frustrate some readers, but that's a literary choice, not a safety concern.

Enriching

88

National Book Award Longlist title that works as both a gripping story and a rich allegory about childhood, growing up, and letting go. Tackles big questions about identity, responsibility, change, and what it means to leave the safety of childhood behind. Common Sense Media parents used it as a 'wonderful conversation topic' with their 10-year-old. Builds empathy through Jinny's struggle between keeping things the same and accepting inevitable change. The ambiguity is intentional and teaches readers to sit with uncertainty.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

National Book Award Longlist title with serious literary chops—this isn't just another middle grade adventure
Magical realism that trusts kids to handle ambiguity and symbolism without spoon-feeding answers
Perfect conversation starter about growing up, change, and the bittersweet parts of leaving childhood behind
Models caregiving, responsibility, and community in a way that feels earned, not preachy
The kind of book that sticks with you—kids and adults both report thinking about it long after finishing

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What to Watch For

This will make sensitive kids cry—it's about loss, separation, and the fear of leaving everything you know
The ending leaves major questions unanswered, which is the point, but might frustrate concrete thinkers
Parent reviews suggest having 'the puberty talk' first—there's age-appropriate acknowledgment of growing up and bodily changes
Not an action-packed page-turner; this is contemplative, atmospheric, and emotionally complex

Conversation Starters

"If you lived on the island, what would be the hardest part about being the Elder and having to leave?"
"Why do you think the boat comes every year? Where do you think the older kids go?"
"Jinny wants to keep everything the same, but Ess wants to explore and ask questions. Who do you relate to more?"
"What do you think the island represents? Is it a real place or something else?"
"How does it feel when you have to leave something behind that you love? Can you think of a time that happened to you?"

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