book

Girls made of snow and glass

Name: Girls made of snow and glass
Author: Melissa Bashardoust

Melissa Bashardoust · 2017

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Girls made of snow and glass by Melissa Bashardoust. This book is recommended for ages 12+; content notes include LGBTQIA characters, Death of a character, Frightening scenes; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

Ages 12+Source checked

Why this age? Content-guidance estimate derived from the complete published caution profile. It does not measure reading difficulty and is not a safety guarantee; family context may differ.

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At a glance

Recommended age12+

Strongest cautions

LGBTQIA characters4/5
Death of a character3/5
Frightening scenes3/5

Strongest positives

Courage & resilience4/5
Creativity & curiosity4/5
Positive messages4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5

Why this rating?

Death and loss shape the characters’ histories and motivations; grief and its effects matter, though deaths are not the sole focus.

Graphic injury1/5

Why this rating?

Occasional mention of injuries, specifically related to the magical construction of characters, but not graphic.

Strong language1/5

Why this rating?

Occasional mild language, generally respectful and appropriate for the target age group.

LGBTQIA characters4/5

Why this rating?

A same-gender romance is a prominent, meaningful part of the story and is treated positively.

Romance3/5

Why this rating?

Romantic feelings and a developing relationship are important alongside the mother-daughter-like central conflict.

Frightening scenes3/5

Why this rating?

Dark fairy-tale elements, threatening magic, court peril, confinement, and danger create a recurring tense atmosphere.

Sexual content & nudity1/5

Why this rating?

Limited to mild romantic tension and implied intimacy, typical for YA fantasy.

Alcohol or drugs1/5

Why this rating?

No significant depiction of alcohol or drug use.

Violence3/5

Why this rating?

Fantasy violence includes threats, fights, hunting, political danger, and magical conflict; intensity is generally moderate rather than graphic.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5

Why this rating?

Characters repeatedly face danger, family conflict, prejudice, and restrictive expectations with determination and moral growth.

Creativity & curiosity4/5

Why this rating?

Inventive fairy-tale worldbuilding, reimagined Snow White mythology, magical origins, and shifting character perspectives strongly support imagination.

Diverse representation3/5

Why this rating?

The book gives substantial agency to women and includes a central queer relationship, challenging traditional fairy-tale gender roles.

Educational value1/5

Why this rating?

It may encourage reflection on gender, power, family, and identity, but it is primarily an imaginative fantasy rather than instructional nonfiction.

Kindness & empathy3/5

Why this rating?

Care, loyalty, and empathy are important, especially in relationships, though cruelty and emotional manipulation create substantial conflict.

Positive messages4/5

Why this rating?

Emphasizes resisting imposed roles, choosing one’s identity, rejecting abusive power, and repairing relationships through honesty and empathy.

Good role models3/5

Why this rating?

Characters show resilience, independence, and loyalty, while also making harmful choices and confronting the consequences of manipulation and control.

Family discussion

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

What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
How are identity and relationships presented, and how do they shape the characters’ experiences?
Which choice in Girls made of snow and glass would you have made differently, and why?
Who changed the most in Girls made of snow and glass, and what caused that change?

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