Dickens & Rumi
Cover of SOLITAIRE

book

SOLITAIRE

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Alice Oseman

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

Tori Spring is determined to find out who's behind the blog called Solitaire, which has caused serious pranks at her school. (Ages 14 to 18)

Ages 15+Book 1 · SolitaireSource checked

Why this age? The novel has mature emotional content, including depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, bullying, family conflict, and substance use. Its tone and themes suit mature teens more than younger readers. 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 15+
Strongest cautionsFrightening scenes 3/5 · LGBTQIA characters 3/5 · Romance 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 3/5 · Kindness & empathy 3/5
Series positionBook 1 · Solitaire
Recommendation2.8/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: frightening scenes.

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

Quick context

What parents should know

The novel has mature emotional content, including depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, bullying, family conflict, and substance use. Its tone and themes suit mature teens more than younger readers. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Courage & resilience; strongest caution: frightening scenes.

Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 15+Main watch-out: Frightening scenes 3/5
Recommendation 2.8/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
16Scored categories
16Evidence notes
1Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 2, 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 depth16 scored categories16 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended age15+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • LGBTQIA characters3/5
  • Romance3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Kindness & empathy3/5
  • Positive messages3/5

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 1.5 · NICK AND CHARLIEStrongest cautions: LGBTQIA characters 5/5 · Romance 5/5Open next review →
  1. Book 0.5 · THIS WINTERAges 14+
    LGBTQIA characters5/5Romance3/5Frightening scenes2/5Strong language2/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 1 · SOLITAIREAges 15+
    Frightening scenes3/5LGBTQIA characters3/5Romance3/5Strong language3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Violence2/5Death of a character1/5Graphic injury1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets more intense
  3. Book 1.5 · NICK AND CHARLIEAges 14+
    LGBTQIA characters5/5Romance5/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Frightening scenes1/5
    Gets gentler

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What should you do next?

One review should lead naturally to the next useful choice.

Lower cautionsTry something gentlerLIGHTLARK SAGAOpen review →Similar fitCompare another titleEONACompare →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 SOLITAIRE. Open each review for the details.

LIGHTLARK SAGAAlex AsterAges 14+1 points lighter on published cautions

What’s in it?

Death of a character1/5
Why this rating?

Suicide and suicidal feelings are addressed seriously, but no character dies and death is not depicted graphically.

Strong language3/5
Why this rating?

Some mild, realistic teenage swearing is present.

LGBTQIA characters3/5
Why this rating?

LGBTQIA characters and relationships are prominent in the story’s social world, including Charlie Spring and his boyfriend Nick.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

Features budding teenage romance and emotional development between the leads.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Ominous pranks, threats, school danger, and intense psychological distress create sustained unease, though the book is not primarily horror.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Contains very mild teenage discussion of relationships; no explicit sexual content.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mention of teenage party settings with minor substance reference.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Includes some school-related pranks and minor scuffles, but no graphic violence.

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.

Graphic injury · 0/5

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Characters must show internal courage to face their personal battles.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Encourages creative expression and looking at life from unique perspectives.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Features a diverse cast in terms of personality and identity.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Offers insight into the teenage experience of anxiety and depression.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Kindness and empathy are key to the character growth presented.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

It emphasizes taking mental health seriously, recognizing isolation, seeking help, and understanding that destructive behavior has consequences.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

Characters are flawed, realistic, and learning to grow through their struggles.

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 SOLITAIRE would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in SOLITAIRE, 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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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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