Exciting, immersive kick-off to new fantasy series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
a lot
Mostly in the fantasy realm using magical abilities, devices, and spells against scary, dangerous fantasy creatures and human enemies. Pain and blood are mentioned but not described in detail. A visible broken bone is mentioned but not described, and so is the sound of a jaw cracking after being knocked down. A fantasy creature projectile vomits stinging insects. A parent frequently verbally bullies and berates his teen. A teen gets a bloody nose, possibly from an illness but not by violence.
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Several car makes, retail outlets, Uber, In-N-Out, Lego, and the mostly obsolete street atlas, Thomas Guide. Characters reference Nike's old "Just Do It" slogan several times for motivation.
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
a little
Emmet vapes something apricot scented once, saying he "unquit." Teens are seen smoking outside a nightclub. Teens talk about drinking bourbon in the past. An adult in the fantasy realm is seen smoking three cigarettes at once.
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Isabel is a great model of compassion, always concerned for others' well being and safety, and putting herself at risk to help even people she doesn't know well. Leopold starts out a bit of an antihero, but for someone who's been through everything he has, he's remarkably resilient and models perseverance. He, Emmet, and Isabel model teamwork.
Positive Messages
some
You can't run away from your problems forever, and once you face them you'll find you're stronger than you thought. Don't wait for someone else's permission to be who you want to be or do what you want with your life.
Diverse Representations
some
Leopold and his family are White and very wealthy. Best friend Emmet is Black with well-to-do parents. Minor characters cue as Latina and Japanese American. The Latina character is in a powerful, important position in the fantasy realm. Isabel and Norm are White and live in a small apartment in a nice building.
Parents need to know that The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry is the first in a new series by bestselling author Ransom Riggs (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series). Leopold is a 17 year-old who's long imagined living in the world of his favorite vintage TV show about the imaginary Sunderworld. Violence is mostly in the fantasy realm using magical abilities, devices, and spells against scary, dangerous fantasy creatures and human enemies. Pain and blood are mentioned but not described in detail. A fantasy creature projectile vomits stinging insects. A parent frequently verbally bullies and berates his teen. Strong language includes "s--t," "f--k" and variations of both, "d--khead," "a--hole," "goddamn," and more. A teen vapes something apricot-scented once, saying he "unquit." Teens are seen smoking outside a nightclub. An adult in the fantasy realm is seen smoking three cigarettes at once. Leopold's mother died five years ago of cancer, so parental loss is a strong theme and important part of the plot. Isabel is a standout role model for her compassion and willingness to help others, even people she doesn't know very well.
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What's the Story?
THE EXTRAORDINARY DISAPPOINTMENTS OF LEOPOLD BERRY are mostly thanks to his utter averageness. Pretty much right down the line, Leopold, or Larry as most people call him, does not stand out in any way. And his "life success coach" father never misses a chance to make sure Larry knows that he's not measuring up to expectations. Since his mother's death five years ago, Larry has coped with her loss by immersing himself in Sunderworld, a fantasy realm from an old TV show Larry found videocassettes of after she passed away. But when he starts seeing strange phenomena around Los Angeles, he starts to wonder if there's more to that old show than he thought. And when Larry and best-friend Emmet actually cross over into Sunderworld, he finds out the hard way that there is indeed so much more out there.
This is an intriguing, exciting fantasy series start that fans of Ransom Riggs' popular Miss Peregrine series will enjoy, and has a lot to offer newcomers, too. Characters are believable and colorful. Leopold is a bit of an antihero at first, but as the series continues there's plenty of room for growth. Riggs skillfully builds a world that's a blend of modern and vintage LA with a bizarrely fascinating fantasy world. Tension and suspense build nicely and keep the pages turning. The ending is satisfying while raising more questions than it answers, so fans will be eager for the next installment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry. Is it too much? Does it make a difference if it's in the fantasy realm or real world? Is reading about it different from seeing it in games, videos, and other media?
What about the strong language? Is it a big deal? Is it realistic, and does that matter?
How does Isabel show compassion for others? What kind of affect does that have on Leopold?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry: Sunderworld, Book 1
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
