Helpful Score: 2
The book info says this story is for 9-12 year olds, and the back of the book says "Peter Dickinson is one of the real masters of children's literature." I think this book is better suited for youths or adults than children. There is a very frank discussion on castrati - boys castrated before their voices change so they can continue to sing soprano the rest of their lives. The main character, Alfredo, is willing to undergo the surgery so he can continue to sing. There are also passing references to pedophilia in the church, and Alfredo wonders briefly if that's what his uncle wants him for. That said, there is nothing dirty or lewd about the way any of this is presented, or in the rest of the book. The only other thing to mention is that the Bible and the Catholic church play heavily into the plot, side by side with sorcery. (For example, Alfredo sings Psalms to the salamanders to work his uncle's magic.) While some might not like religion mixed with fantasy, I did not feel that the Church was slandered or put down in any way (except the mention of pedophilia). In fact, at the end of the book, Alfredo uses his new position to enhance the village church and bring it back to where he thinks it should be.
