Dickens & Rumi
Cover of LET THEM STARE

book

LET THEM STARE

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy

Is LET THEM STARE appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

A queer teen purchases a vintage bag that is haunted by a drag performer's ghost. (Ages 14 and up)

Ages 13+Source checked

Why this age? Best suited to teens because of identity exploration, social and emotional conflict, romance, and young-adult reading complexity; content appears non-graphic and generally affirming. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceAges 13+
Strongest cautionsLGBTQIA characters 5/5 · Romance 3/5 · Strong language 2/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Diverse representation 4/5
Recommendation4/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: lgbtqia characters.

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

Quick context

What parents should know

Best suited to teens because of identity exploration, social and emotional conflict, romance, and young-adult reading complexity; content appears non-graphic and generally affirming. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Courage & resilience; strongest caution: lgbtqia characters.

Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 13+Main watch-out: LGBTQIA characters 5/5
Recommendation 4/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
13Scored categories
13Evidence notes
2Explicit 0/5 checks
Oct 22, 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 depth13 scored categories13 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended age13+

Strongest cautions

  • LGBTQIA characters5/5
  • Romance3/5
  • Strong language2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Diverse representation4/5
  • Good role models4/5

Keep going

What should you do next?

One review should lead naturally to the next useful choice.

Lower cautionsTry something gentlerThe last presentOpen review →Similar fitCompare another titleTHE WAY I AM NOWCompare →Keep browsingSearch for another bookUse age, interests, vibe, or content preferences.Search →

Similar, with lighter cautions

Want something gentler?

These reviewed titles have overlapping age guidance and a lower total caution score than LET THEM STARE. Open each review for the details.

BOOKThe last presentWendy Mass · 2013Ages 10+5 points lighter on published cautionsBOOKA Prisoner in FairylandAlgernon Blackwood · 1913Ages 10+5 points lighter on published cautions

What’s in it?

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild language consistent with teen dialogue.

LGBTQIA characters5/5
Why this rating?

Central theme involves a non-binary protagonist navigating their identity and social environment.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

Features age-appropriate crushes and romantic feelings typical of YA literature.

Violence1/5
Why this rating?

Includes minor instances of school-based bullying and verbal confrontation.

Checked and not flagged

No concern recorded in these categories

These categories were explicitly scored 0/5 in the published review. This is not a guarantee that every edition or reader experience is identical.

Frightening scenes · 0/5Sexual content & nudity · 0/5

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist shows immense bravery in living authentically despite external pressure.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages creative self-expression through skating and performance.

Diverse representation4/5
Why this rating?

Highlights diverse experiences within the LGBTQIA spectrum and intersectional identities.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Offers insight into the non-binary experience and the realities of small-town school social dynamics.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Emphasis on the importance of support systems and being kind to oneself.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong message about self-acceptance, authenticity, and the power of finding one's community.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist demonstrates significant personal growth and resilience.

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 are identity and relationships presented, and how do they shape the characters’ experiences?
  3. Which choice in LET THEM STARE would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in LET THEM STARE, 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.

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Related by age fit, format, and catalogue context.

You’re hereLET THEM STARE
THE WAY I AM NOWAmber SmithAges 16+THE WAY I USED TO BEAmber SmithAges 16+EONAAlison GoodmanAges 14+EONAlison GoodmanAges 13+

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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