Dickens & Rumi

book

Wish you were here

Rita Mae Brown; Kate Forbes · 1990

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Wish you were here by Rita Mae Brown; Kate Forbes. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Violence; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Violence3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Diverse representation2/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

Casual mentions of real-world brands or products occur.

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

A murder and its consequences are central to the plot, with investigation and emotional responses to loss.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Some descriptions of crime scenes and bodily harm are present but not overly graphic.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild to moderate profanity is used in dialogue.

LGBTQIA characters1/5
Why this rating?

Brief mentions or minor character details may touch on non-traditional relationships.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Religion appears mainly as occasional cultural or community context, not as a central theme or source of instruction.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Romantic subplots and affairs are a recurring theme for the characters.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

There is suspense throughout regarding the killer's identity and safety.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Implied sexual situations and infidelity are discussed.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Characters frequently consume alcohol in social settings.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

The book centers on a murder investigation with descriptions of violent acts and threats.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist faces danger while pursuing the truth.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages deductive reasoning through the mystery format.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

The book presents varied townspeople and personalities, but the available information does not support broad, deeply developed representation across identities.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

The story may offer incidental insight into rural Virginia and small-town life, but teaching facts or skills is not its main purpose.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Characters show care for animals, particularly the pets.

Positive messages2/5
Why this rating?

Focuses on justice and unraveling lies, though primarily for entertainment.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist shows curiosity and intelligence, though her behavior is flawed.

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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. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in Wish you were here would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Wish you were here, and what caused that change?
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