The Best Man — Content Guide for Parents
Found in this book
- ViolenceBrief
- Scary contentBrief
- Gender rolesBriefTraditional roles, Challenges traditional roles
- Gender & orientationCentral
Not found
- Religion
- Race & culture
- Profanity
- Climate
- Sexual content
Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
Get the full theme breakdown in the app
Summaries and source quotes for every theme.
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Religion
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Archer Magill has spent a lively five years of grade school with one eye out in search of grown-up role models. Three of the best are his grandpa, the great architect; his dad, the great vintage car customizer,; and his uncle Paul, who is just plain great. These are the three he wants to be. Along the way he finds a fourth--Mr. McLeod, a teacher. In fact, the first male teacher in the history of the school.
But now here comes middle school and puberty. Change. Archer wonders how much change has to happen before his voice does. He doesn't see too far ahead, so every day or so a startling revelation breaks over him. Then a really big one when he's the best man at the wedding of two of his role models. But that gets ahead of the story.
In pages that ripple with laughter, there's a teardrop here and there. And more than a few insights about the bewildering world of adults, made by a boy on his way to being the best man he can be.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Best Man appropriate for a 7-year-old?
A few non-graphic moments of bullying and threat, including a first-grader pulling a knife on Archer, the aftermath of a schoolyard fight, and a boy tied to a sink. A few mild tense moments: a knife pulled in a school bathroom and a school lockdown over a false alarm, which the guide calls not graphic or intense.
Does The Best Man have violence?
Found (Brief): A few non-graphic moments of bullying and threat, including a first-grader pulling a knife on Archer, the aftermath of a schoolyard fight, and a boy tied to a sink.
Does The Best Man have scary content?
Found (Brief): A few mild tense moments: a knife pulled in a school bathroom and a school lockdown over a false alarm, which the guide calls not graphic or intense.
Does The Best Man have religion?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does The Best Man have race & culture?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does The Best Man have profanity?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does The Best Man have climate?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does The Best Man have sexual content?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does The Best Man have gender roles?
Found (Brief, Traditional roles, Challenges traditional roles): The book touches on what boys and men are expected to be, through Archer's male role models and his worry about having a girl as a best friend.
Does The Best Man have gender & orientation?
Found (Central): Archer's uncle Paul and his student teacher Mr. McLeod are gay, fall in love and marry, with Archer as best man at their wedding.
