Dickens & Rumi
Cover of THIS WINTER

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THIS WINTER

Alice Oseman

Siblings Tori, Charlie and Oliver deal with life challenges over the holiday season. (Ages 14 to 18)

Ages 14+Source checked

Why this age? The prose is accessible for teens, but discussions of eating disorders, mental-health crisis, family conflict, and recovery may be emotionally intense for younger readers. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

  • LGBTQIA characters5/5
  • Romance3/5
  • Frightening scenes2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Kindness & empathy4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

What’s in it?

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Very mild language consistent with teen conversational settings.

LGBTQIA characters5/5
Why this rating?

LGBTQIA characters and relationships are central to the story, with a sustained focus on Charlie’s gay identity, his relationship with Nick, and queer support.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

Charlie and Nick’s romantic relationship is central, with affection, relationship worries, and kissing.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

The intensity comes from internal emotional struggle rather than external scary elements.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Charlie shows great courage in dealing with his internal struggles and family dynamics.

Creativity & curiosity1/5
Why this rating?

Character-driven exploration of personal introspection.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

Includes LGBTQIA representation and handles diverse mental health experiences with care.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Provides insight into living with mental health struggles and the importance of supportive siblings.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Empathy, family care, friendship, and patient support are important parts of the story.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong messages support seeking help, respecting boundaries, accepting care, and treating mental-health struggles seriously.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Characters demonstrate resilience and growth, though they are realistically flawed teenagers.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How are identity and relationships presented, and how do they shape the characters’ experiences?
  3. Which choice in THIS WINTER would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in THIS WINTER, and what caused that change?
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Related by age fit, format, and catalogue context.

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THE KEEPERDavid BaldacciAges 12+A Forest DividedErin Hunter · 2015Ages 14+Dark Lord of DerkholmDiana Wynne Jones · 1998Ages 14+Drowned Ammet (Dalemark Quartet, Book 2)Diana Wynne Jones · 1977Ages 12+

These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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