Dickens & Rumi

book

Try not to breathe

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Holly Seddon · 2016

Is Try not to breathe 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 Try not to breathe by Holly Seddon. This book is content notes include Alcohol or drugs, Frightening scenes, Violence; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsAlcohol or drugs 4/5 · Frightening scenes 4/5 · Violence 4/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 3/5 · Creativity & curiosity 2/5
Recommendation2.3/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: alcohol or drugs.

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: alcohol or drugs.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Alcohol or drugs 4/5
Recommendation 2.3/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
15Scored categories
15Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Oct 23, 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 depth15 scored categories15 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Alcohol or drugs4/5
  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Violence4/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Creativity & curiosity2/5
  • Good role models2/5

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What’s in it?

Death of a character2/5
Why this rating?

The central mystery revolves around a near-fatal assault and past deaths.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Includes some clinical or forensic details regarding the victim's condition.

Strong language3/5
Why this rating?

Includes mature language appropriate for a gritty psychological thriller.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Some interpersonal relationships and romantic history are present but not the primary focus.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

A dark, tense psychological thriller involving vulnerability, stalking, violence and ongoing danger. The realistic threats and unsettling atmosphere may be disturbing for some readers.

Sexual content & nudity3/5
Why this rating?

Contains references to sexual assault and adult relationships.

Alcohol or drugs4/5
Why this rating?

Alcoholism and past substance use issues are significant character traits.

Violence4/5
Why this rating?

The plot centers on a violent attack and includes threats, abuse, coercion, and danger, with serious consequences.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist shows courage by digging into a cold case despite personal hurdles.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

The plot structure is inventive, focusing on unfolding a mystery through dual perspectives.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Characters are generally presented in a realistic, non-diverse context.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Offers insight into investigative journalism and the effects of long-term medical trauma.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Kindness is shown through characters attempting to heal or seek justice for others.

Positive messages2/5
Why this rating?

Explores themes of truth, resilience, and the impact of long-term trauma.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

Characters are flawed and struggling, which may not always serve as traditional role models.

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 were alcohol or drugs portrayed, and what consequences did the story show?
  3. Which choice in Try not to breathe would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Try not to breathe, 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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