Official Rating: G
Lost and alone in a weird valley, with only the instructions of a leafhopper bug, a creature named Fone Bone must find his cousins and return to their town! When he and his cousins were run out of town for the troublesome actions of one Phoney Bone, he is separated from them by a swarm of locusts and eventually finds a strange valley with bizarre wildlife and weather. Directed to find a person called Thorn, he sets out to survive and, as aforementioned, locate his relatives. However, things are not what they seem. Strange rat-like creatures are on the hunt for "The One Who Bears the Star," who seems to be Phoney Bone, who wears a star on his shirt. A friendly dragon roams, but no one seems to believe in him. Most oddly, a creepy Hooded One is behind the scenes of all of this, its intent as shrouded as its face. What have the Bones gotten themselves into...
Good Stuff: The drawings are great and the story is intriguing. Reading this will provide you with many laughs, especially in the character of Gran'ma Ben(Thorn's grandmother), in the bumbling actions of some rat creatures, and in the repartee between the cousins. If you are interested in imaginary worlds, the Valley where this takes place is a prime specimen of world building. Everyone can find something to like!
Religion: None.
Violence: The main source of violence is rat creatures. Two in particular are always hunting Fone Bone to try and eat him. Near the end of the novel, the rat creatures attack the cottage in a raid directed by a strange hooded figure and Kingdok, the king of the rat creatures. Gran'ma references a "Big War" that happened at some point in the past.
Sexual Content: Fone Bone develops a crush on Thorn. While Phoney says there "ain't no woman alive who can resist [his] charms", it doesn't seem like he meant anything problematic by it. He also ribs Fone incessantly on the latter's interest in Thorn.
Language: Threats and insults are the main concerns, but all of it is PG. The name of the Lord is taken in vain twice. The cousins argue quite a lot among themselves.
Supernatural: A strange hooded figure is interested in Phoney Bone's soul.
Other: Smiley Bone and a dragon smoke, a bar is frequented, and betting on a cow race is planned. Phoney eats a pie that he wasn't supposed to and blames it on Fone Bone. During an argument several of Phoney's shady business deals are mentioned. Fone tells the story of what exactly got Phoney run out of Boneville.
Summary: Even though it was not specifically written for kids, Bone is a very kid-friendly graphic novel series. Combining a fascinating story and a great world, with humor lavishly sprinkled throughout, the first book of the Bone series will entertain and delight all its readers. Score 10/10.