Dickens & Rumi

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Stranger with my face

Lois Duncan · 1981

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Stranger with my face by Lois Duncan. This book is content notes include Frightening scenes, Death of a character, Violence; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Death of a character3/5
  • Violence3/5

Strongest positives

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

What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

A girl dies after being forced off a cliff; the twin is later declared dead and cremated. Death is important to the mystery and danger.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Serious injuries and death are present, but the supplied plot does not indicate graphic blood, wounds, or gore.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Some rude comments and interpersonal hostility are mentioned, but strong profanity is not indicated.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

The story uses souls, spirits, evil-spirit protection, and supernatural beliefs, but organized religious practice is not prominent.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

A friendship with Jeff may have mild romantic potential, but romance is not central in the supplied plot.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

Ghostly doubles, astral projection, possession, an evil-minded twin, bodily loss of control, and threats to friends create sustained supernatural suspense.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Characters are endangered through supernatural manipulation; a fall causes serious injury, and a character is forced off a cliff. Violence is consequential rather than graphic.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters confront frightening supernatural danger, investigate the truth, enter perilous situations, and work to restore Laurie’s control of her body.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

The inventive premise combines identical twins, astral projection, possession, doubles, and identity questions into a suspenseful supernatural mystery.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Laurie is identified as Native American and adopted, with family-separation and identity themes; broader representation is not clear from the supplied material.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

It introduces astral projection and explores identity, adoption, family separation, and appearance versus character, but is primarily entertainment.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Friends and family show care through gifts, warnings, investigation, and efforts to protect Laurie, despite betrayal and manipulation.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

The story supports resisting manipulation, valuing authentic identity, trusting caring friends, investigating carefully, and recognizing harmful behavior beneath appearances.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Laurie, Megan, Jeff, and Helen show loyalty, investigation, and courage, though Laurie is drawn into dangerous supernatural experimentation.

Family discussion

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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 Stranger with my face would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Stranger with my face, and what caused that change?
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