Ages 9+1-min guideHumorMysteryFamily
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning
by Lemony Snicket
Good fitA good fit for most kids 9 and up. Darkly funny and very clever with words. The Baudelaire orphans face a cruel villain, and the narrator warns you it won’t end happily.
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What it’s about
After their parents die in a fire, Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire are sent to live with Count Olaf, a terrible actor who wants their fortune.
The ending
What might come up
Mean adultsA lotOlaf hits Klaus and threatens baby Sunny.
Death and lossSomeThe parents die in a fire.
Scary momentsSomeSunny is hung in a cage from a tower.
ViolenceA littleA slap and threats.
LanguageNone
RomanceNone
Why kids like it
Three smart kids outwitting grown-ups, and a narrator who defines every hard word.
Free printable quiz
- 1What are the three orphans’ names?
- 2Who is their villainous guardian?
- 3What is Violet good at?
- 4How does Violet stop the marriage?
Read it, then watch it
Read the book first, then watch it together and talk about what changed.
