Dickens & Rumi

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The tiger in the well

Philip Pullman · 1990

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for The tiger in the well by Philip Pullman. This book is content notes include Frightening scenes, Violence, Alcohol or drugs; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Good role models.

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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Violence3/5
  • Alcohol or drugs2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience5/5
  • Good role models4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character2/5
Why this rating?

The tone is somber, and while central deaths are not the primary hook, the stakes involve potential loss and life-or-death situations.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Mentions of physical abuse and violence, but graphic detail is not the focus of the narrative.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Period-appropriate dialogue with mild insults and intense confrontations.

Religious themes2/5
Why this rating?

Priests, churches, clergy and a religiously titled antagonist appear in the investigation and social setting.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Marriage and alleged parentage are central to the legal conflict, but romance and dating do not appear to drive the story.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

Sustained suspense includes stalking, hiding, police pursuit, infiltration, threats to a child, hostile mobs, and an ominous manipulator.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Prostitution houses and sexual exploitation are important criminal elements; explicit sexual activity is not described in the supplied material.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

A priest's opium addiction is explicitly mentioned as a plot element, without evidence here of glamorization.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Threats, attempted shooting, robbery, police raids, mob attacks, criminal coercion, and planned or implied violence are significant parts of the plot.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience5/5
Why this rating?

Central theme of the book; Sally acts with immense bravery to protect her family.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

The mystery encourages imaginative problem-solving through disguises, investigative reasoning, coded connections, infiltration and strategic alliances.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

Jewish immigrants and characters, women with agency, social outsiders and people facing disability or exploitation are substantial parts of the narrative.

Educational value3/5
Why this rating?

The historical setting exposes readers to Victorian law, class hardship, antisemitism, migration, socialism and gender inequality, though education is not the main purpose.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Allies provide shelter and legal help, Sally works at a mission, and characters rescue and protect vulnerable people amid widespread exploitation.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

The story emphasizes resisting coercion and injustice, protecting children, challenging sexism and antisemitism, and helping exploited people.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Sally and her allies show persistence, loyalty, courage and ingenuity, though they sometimes use deception, weapons or risky schemes.

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. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in The tiger in the well would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The tiger in the well, and what caused that change?
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