Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Bookworm

film

Bookworm

2024

Eleven-year-old Mildred’s life is turned upside down when her mother lands in hospital and estranged, American magician father, Strawn Wise, comes to look after her. Hoping to entertain the bookish tween, Strawn takes Mildred camping in the notoriously rugged New Zealand wilderness, and the pair embark on the ultimate test of family bonding – a quest to find the mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther.

Ages 12+Source checked

Why this age? The film contains mild peril, a scene involving the consumption of a hallucinogenic mushroom for pain, some coarse language, and intense emotional scenes regarding parental injury and abandonment. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age12+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Alcohol or drugs2/5
  • Graphic injury2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Good role models3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character1/5
Why this rating?

The mother is in a coma; no major characters are shown dying.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Mild injury depiction including a leg pinned under a log and medical distress.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Some mild profanity is reported, but the supplied excerpts do not give specific words or frequency.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

A threatening panther, rugged wilderness, chasm crossing, entrapment, parental coma, and a crash create sustained but family-adventure suspense.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

The father gives Mildred a hallucinogenic mushroom to ease pain, making drug-like substance use a notable plot element.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Includes minor physical struggles, a robbery, and a vehicle crash.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Mildred and her father face wilderness hazards, a dangerous animal, injury, and setbacks while pursuing their goal together.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

The mythical-panther quest, wilderness investigation, filming, improvisation, and family adventure strongly encourage imaginative thinking.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Features a New Zealand setting with a focus on local characters.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Provides incidental awareness of wilderness safety and cryptozoology.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

The central relationship develops through protection, caregiving, emotional honesty, and renewed family affection.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

The film emphasizes family reconciliation, responsibility, persistence, and care, while showing that risky and dishonest choices have consequences.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

The characters show growth and learn to trust one another despite initial flaws.

Family discussion

Talk about it

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 Bookworm would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Bookworm, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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