Dickens & Rumi

book

Poor Stainless

Mary Norton · 1971

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Poor Stainless by Mary Norton. This book is content notes include Frightening scenes, Violence; positive qualities include Creativity & curiosity, Courage & resilience.

Source checked

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes2/5
  • Violence1/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity5/5
  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Good role models4/5

What’s in it?

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

Small characters face mild suspense and danger while moving through a much larger human world.

Violence1/5
Why this rating?

Brief, mild peril and adventure-related danger occur, without sustained fighting or realistic violence.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist faces an unfamiliar, oversized world with resourcefulness and brave persistence rather than needless recklessness.

Creativity & curiosity5/5
Why this rating?

The tiny Borrowers' inventive use of ordinary household objects strongly encourages imagination and curiosity.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

It offers imaginative perspective-taking about tiny people and everyday surroundings, but is not instructional nonfiction.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Family care, cooperation, and support are present, though kindness is not the story's only focus.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

The story supports caution, responsibility, adaptability, and learning through experience, without being primarily a moral lesson.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

The young protagonist shows resourcefulness and grows through challenges, while family support helps guide responsible choices.

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 Poor Stainless would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Poor Stainless, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community reactions

What families noticed

Add your perspective

Sign in from the homepage to rate this title.

Where to get it

Find in a libraryBuy on Bookshop.orgBuy on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop.org affiliate, Dickens & Rumi may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

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

Report an incorrect rating