The Steep and Thorny Way — 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
1920s Oregon is not a welcoming place for Hanalee Denney, the daughter of a white woman and an African-American man. She has almost no rights by law, and the Ku Klux Klan breeds fear and hatred in even Hanalee's oldest friendships. Plus, her father, Hank Denney, died a year ago, hit by a drunk-driving teenager. Now her father's killer is out of jail and back in town, and he claims that Hanalee's father wasn't killed by the accident at all but, instead, was poisoned by the doctor who looked after him--who happens to be Hanalee's new stepfather.
The only way for Hanalee to get the answers she needs is to ask Hank himself, a "haint" wandering the roads at night.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Steep and Thorny Way appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book involves a murder mystery with elements of racial and class-based violence, including a climactic battle that is described as detailed and gory. This indicates a significant presence of violence in the story. The book is described as having a creepy and gruesome atmosphere, with elements that may frighten younger readers. This suggests a level of scary content appropriate for older children or teens.
Does The Steep and Thorny Way have violence?
The book involves a murder mystery with elements of racial and class-based violence, including a climactic battle that is described as detailed and gory. This indicates a significant presence of violence in the story.
Does The Steep and Thorny Way have scary content?
The book is described as having a creepy and gruesome atmosphere, with elements that may frighten younger readers. This suggests a level of scary content appropriate for older children or teens.
Does The Steep and Thorny Way have religious themes?
No religious content or themes detected in the narrative of the book.
Does The Steep and Thorny Way have racial/cultural content?
The story features a biracial protagonist, Hanalee, who is the daughter of a Black man and a white woman. It addresses themes of systemic racism and includes a historical context involving the Ku Klux Klan, making race a central theme in the narrative.
Does The Steep and Thorny Way have profanity?
No profanity or strong language is indicated in the search results regarding the book's content.
Does The Steep and Thorny Way have climate change?
No climate-related themes or discussions are present in the narrative of the book.
Does The Steep and Thorny Way have sexual identity?
No explicit sexual content is mentioned in the narrative. The focus is more on the characters' identities and their experiences rather than sexual themes.
Does The Steep and Thorny Way have gender roles?
The narrative does not focus on gender roles or feminist themes; instead, it centers on issues of race and sexuality.
Does The Steep and Thorny Way have lgbtq+ themes?
The narrative includes a character named Joe who is identified as a gay man, and his identity is central to the story. The book explores themes of sexuality alongside race, indicating a significant focus on LGBTQ+ experiences.
