Questions About The House in the Cerulean Sea (Cerulean Chronicles, #1)

by T.J. Klune (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

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Answered Questions (55)

So I'm seeing a lot of reviews talking about how this book was supposedly inspired in some way by boarding schools that Indigenous children were forced into. I can see how the two connect, but from what I've read so far they have very few things in common that it doesn't feel like a direct parallel. Seeing as so many books take inspiration from horrific aspects of history, is it that bad that I should stop reading?

Emily Van Coolput For heaven's sake, if you enjoy the book, read the book.
The main parallel is the "framework", in that a lot of the kids in the orphanages have been ri…moreFor heaven's sake, if you enjoy the book, read the book.
The main parallel is the "framework", in that a lot of the kids in the orphanages have been ripped away from their families to be placed under (often less-than-adequate) government care. If you stop to think about it it's not a pleasant thought, but the premises of children's books – which is essentially what this is – are often not pleasant.
You could compare it to Roald Dahl, who's taken a lot of terrible, traumatic situations (living in extreme poverty in Charlie and the chocolate factory, neglectful/abusive parents in Mathilda, mistreated orphan in The BFG, tragic death of parents in The Witches…) and made them all better because suddenly something magical and wonderful happened.
I'm a bit old for it myself, but I think a lot of people need this kind of Disney-style optimism in the face of grueling adversity and I see no reason why they should be shamed for enjoying it, or a writer for providing it.(less)

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Is this book appropriate for a nine year old?

David I would really say that it depends on the 9 year old. I read "Carrie" when I was 9. My mother knew that I could handle it. The parts that I didn't und…moreI would really say that it depends on the 9 year old. I read "Carrie" when I was 9. My mother knew that I could handle it. The parts that I didn't understand caused me to ask questions.

There is a blossuming gay relationship in this book. If your 9 year old is aware of such things, then the book is fine. If he's not, it might be an opportunity to teach. But the relationship is described with a great deal of care, and there is nothing sexual depicted. I'm sure some children would read it as the two simply being close friends.(less)

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I heard there was something problematic about the inspiration of the book but my search is just turning up a lot of pintrest boards. Does anyone know what happened?

Elin Oh no. I found it. Apparently this guy decided to turn a cultural genocide into a cute fantasy story.
https://www.reddit.com/r/romancelandi... …moreOh no. I found it. Apparently this guy decided to turn a cultural genocide into a cute fantasy story.
https://www.reddit.com/r/romancelandi... (less)

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I see the book is classified as "adult." As a fourteen year old, is this book appropriate for me?