The Box in the Woods — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
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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
After solving the case of Truly Devious, Stevie Bell investigates her first mystery outside of Ellingham Academy in this spine-chilling and hilarious stand-alone mystery from New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson, now available in paperback.
Amateur sleuth Stevie Bell needs a good murder. After catching a killer at her high school, she's back at home for a normal (that means boring) summer.
But then she gets a message from the owner of Sunny Pines, formerly known as Camp Wonder Falls--the site of the notorious unsolved case, the Box in the Woods Murders. Back in 1978, four camp counselors were killed in the woods outside of the town of Barlow Corners, their bodies left in a gruesome display. The new owner offers Stevie an invitation: Come to the camp and help him work on a true crime podcast about the case.
Stevie agrees, as long as she can bring along her friends from Ellingham Academy. Nothing sounds better than a summer spent together, investigating old murders.
But something evil still lurks in Barlow Corners. When Stevie opens the lid on this long-dormant case, she gets much more than she bargained for. The Box in the Woods will make room for more victims. This time, Stevie may not make it out alive.
* Cosmopolitan Best YA Books of 2021 * People Magazine Best Books of Summer 2021*
Frequently asked questions
Is The Box in the Woods appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The narrative includes mentions of a boy hit by a drunk driver, a motorcycle crash resulting in death, and present-day violence where teens are chased and shot at. There are also descriptions of a woman falling to her death and someone breaking an arm. Described as a mature and witty summer camp murder mystery, the book includes elements that may be considered scary, such as murder and suspenseful situations.
Does The Box in the Woods have violence?
The narrative includes mentions of a boy hit by a drunk driver, a motorcycle crash resulting in death, and present-day violence where teens are chased and shot at. There are also descriptions of a woman falling to her death and someone breaking an arm.
Does The Box in the Woods have scary content?
Described as a mature and witty summer camp murder mystery, the book includes elements that may be considered scary, such as murder and suspenseful situations.
Does The Box in the Woods have religious themes?
No religious content or themes detected in the book's narrative.
Does The Box in the Woods have racial/cultural content?
The book includes a character who is Black and queer, and it touches on themes of racial and class-based violence, although these themes may not be the primary focus of the narrative.
Does The Box in the Woods have profanity?
Includes a wide array of swearing, such as 'f--king', 'bulls--t', 'a--hole', and 'damn'.
Does The Box in the Woods have climate change?
No climate-related themes or content detected in the book's narrative.
Does The Box in the Woods have sexual identity?
The book contains scenes with kissing and innuendo about teens having sex in the woods, indicating some level of sexual content.
Does The Box in the Woods have gender roles?
No specific themes related to traditional gender roles or modern feminism detected in the book's narrative.
Does The Box in the Woods have lgbtq+ themes?
The book features a lesbian side character and a non-gender-conforming minor character. While these characters are present, their LGBTQ+ identities are not central to the plot.
