Coraline

Content Ratings

No Romance

There is no romantic content; the story is entirely focused on danger and the relationship between Coraline and the monstrous Other Mother.

Moderate Themes

The novel creates sustained psychological dread through a villain who mimics parental love as a trap; themes of being unseen by one's parents, the allure of false perfection, and captivity in a place that looks like home are emotionally resonant and genuinely frightening.

Mild Violence

The Other Mother is a terrifying and manipulative supernatural villain; the souls of dead children are imprisoned and shown to Coraline; the Other Mother's true spider-like form is revealed in a disturbing climax; threat and dread are sustained but graphic violence is minimal.

Synopsis

When Coraline discovers a secret door in her new home that leads to a parallel version of her world populated by her 'Other Mother' and 'Other Father'—mirror parents who seem perfect but have buttons for eyes—the initial delight quickly gives way to terror as she realizes she is being kept as a prize. Coraline must summon her courage to outsmart a malevolent supernatural being and rescue not only herself but her real parents. A darkly inventive, genuinely scary fairy tale for older children.