As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Safe for the age band
Age-appropriate with no significant concerns.
Sign in to save your wishlist and reading history across devices.
- Published
- 1956
- Ages
- 12–16
About the book
About the book
A humorous and heartwarming account of the author's childhood on the Greek island of Corfu.
AI summary
A humorous and heartwarming account of the author's childhood on the Greek island of Corfu.
Why parents choose this book
What makes My Family and Other Animals 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: 12–16 (fits siblings across a range).
- Reading maturity: Young adult — teen protagonists and more nuanced themes.
- Kids who tend to love it: Biography.
- Personality fit: kids ages 12–16 who enjoy a good story.
Parents love this book because
- Age-appropriate content for the 12–16 band with no significant flags.
- Written by Gerald Durrell, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.
Your child will probably enjoy My Family and Other Animals if they…
- Enjoy stories written for kids around ages 12–16
This book helps develop
Vocabulary, sustained attention, and reading confidence for the 12–16 age band.
Things parents should know
- Language: clean language throughout.
Reading commitment
Similar books your child may love
- A Girl from Yamhill: A Memoir · Beverly Cleary
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–16.
- Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice · Phillip Hoose
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–16.
- Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter · Adeline Yen Mah
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–16.
- Farewell to Manzanar · Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–16.
- Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution · Ji-li Jiang
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–16.
- The Endless Steppe: Growing Up in Siberia · Esther Hautzig
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–16.
- Becoming (Adapted for Young Readers) · Michelle Obama
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–16.
- An American Childhood · Annie Dillard
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–16.
Why we recommend it
We think My Family and Other Animals is a confident pick for the 12–16 age band. It leans into biography in a way that feels genuine, not formulaic. Gerald Durrell's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.
Content ratings
Genres
Ready to add it to the shelf?
Get My Family and Other Animals on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
What parents say
You'll probably like
Books parents also bought
Similar authors