When the World Turned Upside Down — Content Guide for Parents
Found in this book
- ViolenceBrief
- Scary contentBrief
- Race & cultureCentral
Not found
- Religion
- Climate
- Sexual content
- Gender roles
- Gender & orientation
Couldn't confirm
- Profanity
- Profanity: The reviews do not say anything about the language used in the book.
Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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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
"As clear-eyed as it is engaging, as timely as it is timeless. I fell in love with every single student in this book. And days after reading it, each of them remains with me." -- Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award-winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming"
What do you do when the world shuts down? A heartwarming story of friendship and overcoming adversity in a time of COVID, When the World Turns Upside Down is about community, giving back, and understanding the world around us through the power of generosity from debut middle grade author K. Ibura.
Nobody expected a tiny little virus to change the whole world in such a big way, especially not Shayla, Liam, Ai, and Ben. But when school closes to keep everyone safe, their lives turn upside down. It is one thing to learn that the outside world isn't safe, but why does it seem that the virus is causing trouble inside their homes too?
As they each struggle to adjust to life in quarantine, they discover they are not alone: their apartment building is full of people who need their help. Working together, they begin to see that there is power in numbers. When they cooperate, they can ease each other's challenges and help their neighbors through tough times. It's a lesson they'll need when protests explode in the streets. Soon, each friend has to decide what it means to be part of a community--and how much they're willing to do to make this world safer for everyone.
Set against the onset of COVID, When the World Turned Upside Down navigates issues of race and social justice in a heartwarming story of generosity, friendship, and the power of youth.
Frequently asked questions
Is When the World Turned Upside Down appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The kids hear news of police brutality and the murder of George Floyd, and talk about it with a parent; no fights or attacks are described in the story itself. The story is set at the start of the COVID pandemic, with fear and uncertainty, neighbors who die, and a boy's panic attacks.
Does When the World Turned Upside Down have violence?
Found (Brief): The kids hear news of police brutality and the murder of George Floyd, and talk about it with a parent; no fights or attacks are described in the story itself.
Does When the World Turned Upside Down have scary content?
Found (Brief): The story is set at the start of the COVID pandemic, with fear and uncertainty, neighbors who die, and a boy's panic attacks.
Does When the World Turned Upside Down have religion?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does When the World Turned Upside Down have race & culture?
Found (Central): The characters are African American, Indonesian American, White and Latino, and the plot includes talk of racism, police brutality, George Floyd's murder and street protests.
Does When the World Turned Upside Down have profanity?
Couldn't confirm: The reviews do not say anything about the language used in the book.
Does When the World Turned Upside Down have climate?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does When the World Turned Upside Down have sexual content?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does When the World Turned Upside Down have gender roles?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does When the World Turned Upside Down have gender & orientation?
Not found in the sources we checked.
