What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Secondhand Lions is a is a heartwarming coming-of-age story about a boy whose unreliable mother leaves him on a ranch with his two great uncles, former globetrotting adventurers who still have wild streaks. Set in rural Texas in the 1960s, these great uncles chew tobacco (and offer some to the boy) and shoot rifles whenever salesmen try and ply their wares. There's also a knife fight between the great uncles and a group of greaser teenagers, and some war scenes and chase scenes that come up in the form of flashbacks. Beyond this, though, Secondhand Lions is a fun and touching story that raises questions about what it means to grow up and to grow old.
- Families can talk about their own best advice for children about growing up and about the importance of having role models.
- Families can also talk about Hub's view that sometimes it's important to believe in things whether they are true or not.
- What do you think of the portrayal of rural folks? Do you think it's realistic or presents stereotypes?