MysteryAges 1899
By Ashley Audrain

The Push

Not recommended

Content we'd steer families away from.

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Published
2021
Ages
18–99

About the book

About the book

A woman's fears that there is something wrong with her daughter are dismissed by her husband, leading to a chilling and suspenseful examination of motherhood and nature versus nurture.

AI summary

A woman's fears that there is something wrong with her daughter are dismissed by her husband, leading to a chilling and suspenseful examination of motherhood and nature versus nurture.

Why parents choose this book

What makes The Push 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: 18–99 (fits siblings across a range).
  • Reading maturity: Young adultteen protagonists and more nuanced themes.
  • Kids who tend to love it: Mystery.
  • Personality fit: puzzle-solvers who like to figure things out.

Parents love this book because

  • Written by Ashley Audrain, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.

Your child will probably enjoy The Push if they…

  • Enjoy solving mysteries

This book helps develop

Vocabulary, sustained attention, and reading confidence for the 18–99 age band.

Things parents should know

  • Violence: clear on-page conflict without lingering detail.
  • Language: occasional mild words for the older end of the band.
  • Sexual content: references or fade-to-black moments.

Reading commitment

Estimated reading time
Varies by reader
Length
Length varies by edition
Difficulty
Young adult
Works as read-aloud
Usually read independently
Good for independent readers
Yes — suits confident readers in the age band

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Why we recommend it

We don't broadly recommend The Push for the 18–99 age band; see the notes above before choosing. It leans into mystery in a way that feels genuine, not formulaic. Ashley Audrain's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.

Content ratings

Violence2/4
Romance0/4
Language2/4
Scary content0/4
Faith content0/4
Sexual content2/4

Genres

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