Dickens & Rumi

book

The Leaving

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Tara Altebrando · 2016

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

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for The Leaving by Tara Altebrando. This book is content notes include Frightening scenes, Death of a character, Romance; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Positive messages.

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsFrightening scenes 4/5 · Death of a character 2/5 · Romance 2/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Positive messages 4/5
Recommendation3.5/5

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

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: frightening scenes.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Frightening scenes 4/5
Recommendation 3.5/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
16Scored categories
16Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Oct 24, 2026Last updated

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

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Review depth16 scored categories16 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Death of a character2/5
  • Romance2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Positive messages4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5

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What’s in it?

Death of a character2/5
Why this rating?

Death and possible loss are part of the mystery and emotional stakes, though death is not the story's sole focus.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Injuries and disturbing situations are referenced, but graphic blood or bodily detail is not a major feature.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Some teen profanity, insults, or emotionally sharp language may appear, without language being a defining feature.

LGBTQIA characters1/5
Why this rating?

LGBTQIA-related identity or attraction may receive limited representation, but it is not a central theme.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Teen attraction and relationship questions appear, but romance is secondary to the mystery and recovery story.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

The central mystery involves kidnapped children, an absent friend, memory gaps, surveillance-like danger, and sustained suspense.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Some teen relationship or sexual references may occur, but explicit sexual content is not central.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Any substance references appear limited and are not a central or celebratory element of the plot.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Threats, abduction, frightening encounters, and references to violence occur, but graphic physical violence is limited.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters confront fear, missing memories, danger, and painful truths while trying to find their missing friend and understand what happened.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

The mystery encourages speculation about memory, identity, and hidden motives, with characters piecing together clues and possibilities.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

The cast includes differing personalities and life circumstances, though broad demographic diversity is not the primary focus.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

It may prompt reflection on memory, psychology, and trauma, but it is primarily a suspense novel rather than instructional nonfiction.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Friendship, family care, and support matter, although suspicion and conflict complicate the characters' relationships.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

It explores identity, memory, trauma, friendship, family bonds, truth-seeking, and the difficult process of rebuilding a life.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

The teens show persistence, loyalty, and courage, though trauma and confusion lead to difficult choices and imperfect behavior.

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 The Leaving would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Leaving, and what caused that change?
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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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