The Scarlet Pimpernel
Acceptable with guidance. Age: 13+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
This is a husband and wife learning to forgive, trust and risk their lives for each other while he saves the innocent from the Terror. Marguerite prays, repents of pride and acts. The reservation is real. Near the end the hero disguises himself as a Jew, and the book treats that figure with open contempt. A parent must name that as wrong.
For parents
Independent reading from 13 or 14, read-aloud from about 11 if you edit the last chapters. Plugged In says 14 and up, Common Sense Media 12 and up. Tell your teen the mockery of the Jewish character is a sin of the author's age, not ours to copy. Ask why Percy hides his goodness.