ParentsPick

Hush — Content Guide for Parents

By Jacqueline Woodson2005ISBN 9780756915728
Hush

Themes present

Violence
Scary content
Religious themes
Racial/cultural content
LGBTQ+ themes

Not found

ProfanityClimate changeSexual identityGender roles

Content themes

Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.

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Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

Twelve-year-old Toswiah Finds Her Life Changed When Her Family Enters The Witness Protection Program.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Hush appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    The narrative addresses the aftermath of police violence, specifically the shooting of an unarmed black teen by police officers. This theme is central to the plot and impacts the characters significantly, leading to their entry into the witness protection program. The book deals with serious and intense themes such as racial injustice, witness protection, and the psychological effects of trauma, which may be distressing for some readers, particularly younger ones.

  • Does Hush have violence?

    The narrative addresses the aftermath of police violence, specifically the shooting of an unarmed black teen by police officers. This theme is central to the plot and impacts the characters significantly, leading to their entry into the witness protection program.

  • Does Hush have scary content?

    The book deals with serious and intense themes such as racial injustice, witness protection, and the psychological effects of trauma, which may be distressing for some readers, particularly younger ones.

  • Does Hush have religious themes?

    The story involves elements related to the Jehovah's Witness religion, particularly in the context of the protagonist's family dynamics and experiences. This inclusion provides insight into the religious background of the characters.

  • Does Hush have racial/cultural content?

    The book addresses themes of racism and police brutality, particularly focusing on the experiences of a black family dealing with the consequences of police violence. This framing highlights systemic issues within law enforcement and society.

  • Does Hush have profanity?

    No instances of profanity are reported in the search results, indicating that the language used in the book is appropriate for its intended audience.

  • Does Hush have climate change?

    No themes related to climate change or environmental issues are detected in the search results.

  • Does Hush have sexual identity?

    No explicit sexual content is mentioned in the search results, focusing instead on themes of identity and family dynamics.

  • Does Hush have gender roles?

    While the main character is a young girl navigating her identity, there are no explicit discussions or themes regarding traditional or modern gender roles in the search results.

  • Does Hush have lgbtq+ themes?

    The book includes a storyline where an African American teenager comes to terms with his mother's revelation that she is gay and in love with a white woman. This aspect of the narrative normalizes LGBTQ+ identities and relationships.