Dickens & Rumi

book

True to the Old Flag

G. A. Henty · 1885

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for True to the Old Flag by G. A. Henty. This book is content notes include Violence, Death of a character, Frightening scenes; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Positive messages.

Book 31 · Henty SeriesSource checked

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.

10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsViolence 4/5 · Death of a character 3/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 5/5 · Positive messages 4/5
Series positionBook 31 · Henty Series
Recommendation3.8/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: violence.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: violence.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Violence 4/5
Recommendation 3.8/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
15Scored categories
15Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 6, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth15 scored categories15 evidence notes
Show Wikipedia summary

Open to load a short Wikipedia summary.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Violence4/5
  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience5/5
  • Positive messages4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 32 · With Lee in VirginiaStrongest cautions: Violence 4/5 · Death of a character 3/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · Among Malay PiratesAges 12+
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 1 · Final Reckoning
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5
    About the same
  3. Book 2 · Boy Knight
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Religious themes3/5Frightening scenes2/5Graphic injury2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  4. Book 3 · Bonnie Prince Charlie
    Death of a character3/5Violence3/5Frightening scenes2/5Graphic injury2/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  5. Book 4 · Bravest of the Brave
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  6. Book 5 · By England's Aid
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Religious themes3/5Graphic injury2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  7. Book 6 · By Pike and Dyke
    Religious themes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  8. Book 7 · By Right of Conquest
    Death of a character4/5Violence4/5Frightening scenes3/5Religious themes3/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5
    Gets more intense
  9. Book 8 · By Sheer Pluck
    Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  10. Book 9 · Captain Bayley's Heir
    Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Frightening scenes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  11. Book 9 · The Cat of BubastesAges 12+
    Religious themes5/5Death of a character4/5Violence4/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury1/5
    Gets more intense
  12. Book 10 · Cornet of Horse
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes2/5Graphic injury2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  13. Book 11 · Captain Bayley's heir: a tale of the gold fields of CaliforniaAges 12+
    Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Frightening scenes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  14. Book 12 · The Dragon and the RavenAges 12+
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Religious themes3/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  15. Book 13 · Facing Death
    Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Religious themes2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5
    Gets gentler
  16. Book 14 · Friends, Though Divided
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Religious themes3/5Graphic injury2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  17. Book 15 · For Fame and Name
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury2/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  18. Book 15 · For Name and Fame
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  19. Book 16 · For the Temple
    Death of a character4/5Religious themes4/5Violence4/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  20. Book 16 · For the Temple, A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem (Works of G. A. Henty)Ages 13+
    Death of a character4/5Religious themes4/5Violence4/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury3/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  21. Book 17 · In Freedom's CauseAges 12+
    Death of a character4/5Violence4/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury2/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  22. Book 18 · In Times of Peril
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  23. Book 19 · In the Reign of TerrorAges 13+
    Death of a character5/5Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5Religious themes1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  24. Book 20 · Jack Archer
    Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  25. Book 21 · Lion of the North
    Religious themes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  26. Book 22 · Lion of St. Mark
    Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  27. Book 23 · Maori and Settler
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5
    Gets more intense
  28. Book 24 · Orange and Green
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Religious themes3/5Graphic injury2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  29. Book 25 · One of the 28th
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes2/5Graphic injury2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  30. Book 26 · Out of the Pampas
    Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  31. Book 27 · Out on the Pampas
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  32. Book 27 · St. George for England
    Death of a character4/5Violence4/5Frightening scenes3/5Religious themes3/5Graphic injury2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  33. Book 28 · Through the Fray
    Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Frightening scenes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  34. Book 29 · Sturdy and Strong
    Frightening scenes2/5Violence2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Death of a character1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  35. Book 29 · True to the Flag
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  36. Book 30 · Under Drake's flagAges 12+
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury2/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  37. Book 31 · True to the Old Flag
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  38. Book 31 · With Clive in India
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury2/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  39. Book 32 · With Lee in VirginiaAges 14+
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes2/5Graphic injury2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5
    About the same
  40. Book 33 · With Wolfe in Canada
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  41. Book 34 · Young Carthaginians
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury2/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  42. Book 35 · Young Buglers
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  43. Book 36 · Young Franc-Tireurs
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  44. Book 37 · Young Colonists
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  45. Book 38 · Among the Malays
    Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Frightening scenes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler

Keep going

What should you do next?

One review should lead naturally to the next useful choice.

Keep browsingSearch for another bookUse age, interests, vibe, or content preferences.Search →

What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

Deaths and lethal battlefield circumstances occur as part of the Revolutionary War setting; grief is present but not the primary focus.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Injuries and battlefield danger occur, but graphic blood and bodily detail are limited compared with modern war fiction.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Some period insults, hostile labels, or harsh speech may appear, but strong profanity is not characteristic of the book.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Christian and period religious assumptions may appear, but religious practice is not the main subject.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Romantic material is slight and secondary to military adventure and loyalty.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Dangerous journeys, pursuit, imprisonment, battle, and threats of death create sustained tension, though the adventure framing limits horror.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Period adult drinking or references to tobacco may occur, without being a central theme or instructional focus.

Violence4/5
Why this rating?

Frequent armed conflict, battles, raids, captivity, escapes, and combat are central to the adventure; violence is generally presented in a non-graphic Victorian style.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience5/5
Why this rating?

Bravery under fire, endurance, loyalty, and principled risk-taking are central virtues throughout the adventure.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

The adventure encourages imaginative engagement with history, improvisation, strategy, and problem-solving in dangerous situations.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

The historical setting includes varied communities, but representation reflects Victorian colonial attitudes and may use stereotypes rather than nuanced agency.

Educational value3/5
Why this rating?

The novel offers incidental historical context about the American Revolution, military life, politics, and colonial society rather than formal instruction.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Loyalty, comradeship, and helping allies appear, but the plot is driven more by combat and survival than by everyday empathy.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

It strongly emphasizes loyalty, duty, perseverance, courage, and service, while reflecting contested imperial and national viewpoints of its era.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Characters display loyalty, resourcefulness, and bravery, but some heroic assumptions about empire, warfare, and cultural hierarchy are dated.

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. How did the story handle conflict or violence? Did the characters have other choices?
  3. Which choice in True to the Old Flag would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in True to the Old Flag, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

Community signal

Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.

Add your perspective

Sign in from the homepage to rate this title.

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

Something wrong with this guide? Report age, caution, series, cover, or title issues.