Dickens & Rumi

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McBroom and the big wind

Sid Fleischman · 1967

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for McBroom and the big wind by Sid Fleischman. This book is recommended for ages 6+; content notes include Frightening scenes, Violence; positive qualities include Creativity & curiosity, Kindness & empathy.

Ages 6+Source checked

Why this age? The content is gentle and comic, with mild peril and exaggerated farm chaos. Short-chapter storytelling and tall-tale humor are best suited to early elementary readers. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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At a glance

Recommended age6+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes1/5
  • Violence1/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Kindness & empathy3/5
  • Courage & resilience2/5

What’s in it?

Frightening scenes1/5
Why this rating?

The intense windstorm might be slightly alarming to very young children, but it is presented in a humorous, exaggerated way.

Violence1/5
Why this rating?

Features mild, slapstick-style peril typical of tall tales, such as being blown about by wind.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience2/5
Why this rating?

The characters stand their ground against the overwhelming force of the wind, showing great bravery.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Its extravagant tall-tale premise and impossible comic events strongly encourage imaginative thinking.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Provides light exposure to the genre of American tall tales.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Family members support and care for one another throughout the humorous story. Kindness is positive and recurring, but it is not the main theme.

Positive messages2/5
Why this rating?

Emphasizes the importance of family cooperation, ingenuity, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

The McBroom family works together effectively to solve problems; they are positive role models for teamwork.

Family discussion

Talk about it

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

  1. What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in McBroom and the big wind would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in McBroom and the big wind, and what caused that change?
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