Pet — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by The New York Times • Time • Buzzfeed • NPR • New York Public Library • Publishers Weekly • School Library Journal • A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF THE CENTURY
A genre-defying novel from the award-winning author NPR describes as “like [Madeline] L’Engle…glorious.” A singular book that explores themes of identity and justice. Pet is here to hunt a monster. Are you brave enough to look?
There are no monsters anymore, or so the children in the city of Lucille are taught. Jam and her best friend, Redemption, have grown up with this lesson all their life. But when Jam meets Pet, a creature made of horns and colors and claws, who emerges from one of her mother's paintings and a drop of Jam's blood, she must reconsider what she's been told. Pet has come to hunt a monster, and the shadow of something grim lurks in Redemption's house. Jam must fight not only to protect her best friend, but also to uncover the truth, and the answer to the question--How do you save the world from monsters if no one will admit they exist?
A riveting and timely young adult debut novel that asks difficult questions about what choices you can make when the society around you is in denial.
"[A] beautiful, genre-expanding debut" –The New York Times
"The word hype was invented to describe books like this." –Refinery29
Frequently asked questions
Is Pet appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The narrative includes instances of violence, including the physical and possibly sexual abuse of a child. The story revolves around Jam hunting a child abuser, indicating a serious theme of confronting abuse. The book is described as a science fiction-fantasy novel that includes elements of horror, as Jam hunts a child abuser with the help of a creature that comes to life, suggesting a potentially frightening atmosphere.
Does Pet have violence?
The narrative includes instances of violence, including the physical and possibly sexual abuse of a child. The story revolves around Jam hunting a child abuser, indicating a serious theme of confronting abuse.
Does Pet have scary content?
The book is described as a science fiction-fantasy novel that includes elements of horror, as Jam hunts a child abuser with the help of a creature that comes to life, suggesting a potentially frightening atmosphere.
Does Pet have religious themes?
The story critiques the divisive illusions of religion, suggesting that the community of Lucille has hidden disturbing parts of their history to maintain safety. This framing indicates a critical view of religion's role in society.
Does Pet have racial/cultural content?
While the protagonist, Jam, is described as a Black trans girl, race is not a central theme or plot element in the narrative according to the search results.
Does Pet have profanity?
The book contains infrequent strong language, including instances of profanity such as 's--t' and variations of 'f--k'.
Does Pet have climate change?
No themes related to climate, environmentalism, or activism are detected in the search results.
Does Pet have sexual identity?
The book depicts Jam as a teen who is not yet sexual, focusing instead on her identity and the quest to confront monsters in her community, without explicit sexual content.
Does Pet have gender roles?
The book does not explicitly address traditional or modern gender roles; it focuses on Jam's identity and experiences without promoting specific gender expectations.
Does Pet have lgbtq+ themes?
The book features a transgender character named Jam, whose identity is affirmed and celebrated by her parents. The narrative depicts her life as not tragic, presenting a positive representation of transgender experiences.
