Dickens & Rumi

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Growing Up with Aloha

Kirby Larson · 2017

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Growing Up with Aloha by Kirby Larson. This book is recommended for ages 9+; content notes include Frightening scenes, Death of a character, Violence; positive qualities include Good role models, Kindness & empathy.

Ages 9+Source checked

Why this age? The book deals with historical tensions surrounding World War II and the attack on Pearl Harbor. It is appropriate for middle-grade readers who can handle the emotional weight of war-related themes and historical anxiety. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age9+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Death of a character2/5
  • Violence2/5

Strongest positives

  • Good role models4/5
  • Kindness & empathy4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

No commercial or product placement.

Death of a character2/5
Why this rating?

Themes of loss and the potential for death are present given the historical setting.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Language is appropriate for a middle-grade audience; no strong profanity.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Religious or spiritual ideas appear, if at all, as brief or incidental references rather than a central focus.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Romance is not a focus of this narrative.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Contains moments of anxiety and fear related to the threat of war and safety of family members.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Depicts the tense atmosphere of war and the attack on Pearl Harbor, though not gratuitous or overly graphic.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Characters demonstrate internal strength and courage in the face of uncertainty.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Encourages imagination and an appreciation for historical empathy.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

Authentic representation of Hawaiian culture and the multicultural community of the era.

Educational value3/5
Why this rating?

Provides insight into the historical context of Hawaii during World War II.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

The spirit of aloha is a core theme, highlighting empathy and communal care.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Emphasizes resilience, family bonds, and the value of community and kindness in difficult times.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Protagonist shows integrity and growing maturity.

Family discussion

Talk about it

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

  1. Which character was the best role model, and what did they do that you admired?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in Growing Up with Aloha would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Growing Up with Aloha, and what caused that change?
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