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Safe for the age band
Age-appropriate with no significant concerns.
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- Ages
- 10–18
AI summary
Set in 1960, 12-year-old Peggy Sue moves from Texas to Hawaii, where she struggles as one of the few white students in her school and faces bullying from a classmate. When a tsunami strikes while her parents are away, she must find the strength to survive and maintain hope for her family's safety.
Parent notes
This is a clean historical fiction novel focusing on courage and cultural adjustment, though parents should note the themes of racial bullying and the peril of a natural disaster. Parent concerns: Bullying (racially motivated); Natural disaster (tsunami) and fear of death of parents; Racial tension/discrimination (anti-white sentiment) Romance/sexual content: There is no romantic or sexual content described; the focus is on a 12-year-old girl's adjustment to a new home and a natural disaster. Language: No profanity indicated in the book descriptions or themes. Violence: Includes bullying threats (Kill Haole Day) and the graphic aftermath/experience of a tsunami where the protagonist is knocked unconscious. Substances: No substance use mentioned. Worldview themes: Historical accuracy, Overcoming adversity
Why parents choose this book
What makes Anywhere but Paradise worth choosing
An honest, parent-first look at who this book suits, what it offers, and what to know before you buy.
Best for
- Age range: 10–18 (fits siblings across a range).
- Reading maturity: Young adult — teen protagonists and more nuanced themes.
- Kids who tend to love it: readers ages 10–18 looking for a solid story.
- Personality fit: kids ages 10–18 who enjoy a good story.
Parents love this book because
- Age-appropriate content for the 10–18 band with no significant flags.
- Written by Anne Bustard, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.
Your child will probably enjoy Anywhere but Paradise if they…
- Enjoy stories written for kids around ages 10–18
This book helps develop
Vocabulary, sustained attention, and reading confidence for the 10–18 age band.
Things parents should know
- Violence: clear on-page conflict without lingering detail.
Reading commitment
Why we recommend it
We think Anywhere but Paradise is a confident pick for the 10–18 age band. Anne Bustard's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.
Content ratings
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