SuitabookFangs
Malorie Blackman
- Reading
- Read together if the child is unsure about spiders, pausing to discuss what makes Fangs seem lonely, what people assume about her, and which details might alter their view.
- Themes
- Seeing beyond first impressions: Fangs needs help convincing Nathan’s family that spiders are more than creepy and crawly. The setup invites readers to reconsider an immediate negative reaction and look for less familiar qualities such as beauty and bravery.
- Loneliness and belonging: Fangs is lonely and bored in the pet shop, then becomes excited when Nathan takes her home. The premise places emotional weight on moving from isolation towards a possible new home, but does not establish how securely belonging is achieved.
- Worth knowing
- A child who feels uneasy about spiders may want to know that the story focuses on changing attitudes towards one tarantula; the extent of any frightening scenes is unclear.