ParentsPick

The unusuals — Content Guide for Parents

By Levine, Gail CarsonQuill Tree BooksISBN 9780063325111336 pages
The unusuals

Found in this book

  • ViolenceSupporting
  • Scary contentSupporting
  • ReligionCentralJewish, Christian
  • Race & cultureCentral

Not found

  • Profanity
  • Climate
  • Sexual content
  • Gender roles
  • Gender & orientation

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.

Download for iOS

Example theme card

Religion

PRESENT

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

About this book

Newbery Honor-winning author Gail Carson Levine shares a story of family, prejudice, faith, and unlikely friendship in medieval England, for every child who is more perceptive than they seem, and braver than they know. Chera, Lummie, and Joan are unusual in medieval Winchester, England. Two girls and a boy, and two Jews and a Christian are not supposed to be friends. Most days, after their studies with Rabbi Baruch, they enjoy scaring themselves in the greatly feared nearby forest, home to ne’er-do-wells and sprites, where they make another unusual friend, a starving outlaw. But the trio’s fun is shattered when Chera’s grandmother, a wealthy widow, and Joan’s mother, her maid, are murdered. Jurors name a suspect, who flees the city, and he may not have killed them anyway. Almost anyone could have, so just investigating isn’t enough. What’s more, the Unusuals are sure Lummie’s grandmother will be the next to die. They concoct a perilous plan, which needs allies to succeed, but everyone else thinks their idea is dizzy—crazy. With lives in the balance, this trio of friends must band together against the odds and call on their unusual bonds to help seek justice.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is The unusuals appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    Two murders, a robbery, imprisonment and abuse drive the plot, and the children meet outlaws and danger while investigating. The children face murders, a feared forest, outlaws and incredible danger, and the grandmother and maid appear as ghosts, though one review says their determination is highlighted over fear.

  • Does The unusuals have violence?

    Found (Supporting): Two murders, a robbery, imprisonment and abuse drive the plot, and the children meet outlaws and danger while investigating.

  • Does The unusuals have scary content?

    Found (Supporting): The children face murders, a feared forest, outlaws and incredible danger, and the grandmother and maid appear as ghosts, though one review says their determination is highlighted over fear.

  • Does The unusuals have religion?

    Found (Central, Jewish, Christian): The story follows two Jewish children and a Christian friend in medieval England, with Jewish rabbi-led study, religious rituals and faith as a named theme.

  • Does The unusuals have race & culture?

    Found (Central): The story shows anti-Jewish rules and suspicion in 1277 England, including a required yellow badge, and prejudice is a named theme.

  • Does The unusuals have profanity?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does The unusuals have climate?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does The unusuals have sexual content?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does The unusuals have gender roles?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does The unusuals have gender & orientation?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

Related books

The Hate U Give (signed By Angie Thomas!)

The Hate U Give (signed By Angie Thomas!)

Angie Thomas

They Both Die At The End

They Both Die At The End

Silvera

Warriors Graphic Novel: The New Prophecy #1

Warriors Graphic Novel: The New Prophecy #1

Hunter, Erin

Warriors Graphic Novel: The New Prophecy #1

Warriors Graphic Novel: The New Prophecy #1

Erin Hunter