Skandar and the Unicorn Thief – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2022

86%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Forget everything you know about sparkly rainbows; these unicorns are bloodthirsty, elemental-blasting predators that only a brave kid could love.

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

book

2022

86%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Forget everything you know about sparkly rainbows; these unicorns are bloodthirsty, elemental-blasting predators that only a brave kid could love.

4.7

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4.7

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Where to Read

Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief is a winner for parents trying to pry their kids away from Roblox. It takes the familiar 'chosen one goes to magic school' blueprint and gives it a fresh, slightly darker coat of paint.

It’s not trying to be high literature, and it doesn't need to be. It’s an engaging, well-paced adventure that treats its young audience with respect by not shying away from a little bit of grit and real stakes. If you've got a kid who likes creatures, battles, and secret identities, this is a safe bet for the bookshelf.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 9-12 crowd. If your kid has finished Harry Potter or Wings of Fire and is looking for their next obsession, this is the one. It's modern, snappy, and very readable.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It hits the classic middle-grade sweet spot of fierce friendships and found family. While the unicorns are more 'bloodthirsty predator' than 'sparkly rainbow,' the emotional core is about loyalty and standing up for your crew.

Imaginative

The world-building is the standout here. Turning unicorns into elemental-blasting, terrifying war beasts is a clever subversion of a tired trope. It’s got that 'I wish I could go to that school' vibe that kids crave.

Safe

It's a fantasy adventure, so expect some 'peril' and unicorn-on-unicorn violence. It gets a bit dark and atmospheric, but there's nothing here that would shock a kid who has seen a Marvel movie or read Percy Jackson.

Enriching

It's high-quality 'popcorn' reading. It won't teach them physics, but it builds reading stamina and explores themes of identity and overcoming fear. It's a great gateway book for reluctant readers.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Successfully rebrands unicorns as 'cool' for kids who usually find them too cutesy.
Fast-paced elemental magic system that feels like a mix of Avatar: The Last Airbender and How to Train Your Dragon.
Strong focus on the bond between rider and beast, which is pure wish-fulfillment for middle-grade readers.
The mystery of the 'Unicorn Thief' keeps the pages turning fast enough to compete with an iPad.

⚠

What to Watch For

The unicorns are genuinely scary and aggressive—they eat meat and have a bit of a mean streak.
Some intense moments of fantasy violence and betrayal might be a bit much for very sensitive 7 or 8-year-olds.

Conversation Starters

"If you were a rider, which element—Air, Earth, Fire, or Water—would you want your unicorn to control?"
"Why do you think Skandar felt like an outsider before he found his unicorn?"
"Is it better to have a pet that's safe and easy to manage, or one that's powerful but dangerous?"

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