And there's real magic in the scenes in which Hilde sneaks determinedly around gathering facts before retreating to her computer in her living room, typing out copy while the camera pans down to show us that this tough, implacable reporter has legs so short her feet dangle when she sits at an office chair.

In an era when the reputation of the press has fallen precipitously - a shift obliquely and neatly summarized with a clip from All the President's Men that Hilde recites from memory - Hilde is a proud crusading journalist, advised by her reporter father to seek out and tell the truth. It's a solid choice for whole-family viewing for families with older kids.īrooklynn Prince is sensational as a budding young reporter who boasts a vibe somewhere between Veronica Mars and Nancy Drew, except much littler. Language is infrequent but 's-t,' 'damn,' and 'ass' make an appearance, and Hilde is roundly insulted by readers offended by her reportage, who comment to call her things like 'freak,' weirdo,' 'loser,' and 'ugly.' Though this show's protagonist is a fourth grader, this show may be too scary and slow-moving for viewers of a similar age tweens and up may be more appreciative. Spooky noises and music accompany these scenes, and may scare younger or sensitive viewers. Though a pair of deaths form the show's storyline, we don't see any bodies or blood, but we do see police cars, hear about crimes, and watch as grade schoolers sneak around in the dark sleuthing, presumably in peril. The Lysiak family is a tight and supportive one, with Hilde's parents frequently encouraging and going to bat for her, and even Hilde's older sister rallying behind her in moments of crisis.

The show's Hilde Lysiak (Brooklynn Prince) is a fantastic role model for young people, following her passion fearlessly, searching tirelessly for the truth, and demonstrating impressive curiosity, perseverance, and communication. Based on the real-life reportage of Hilde Lysiak, Home Before Dark uses Lysiak's life story as a jumping-off point to tell a fictional story. Parents need to know that Home Before Dark is a drama about a 9-year-old reporter who uncovers a mystery when her family returns to the small coastal town where her dad grew up. Hilde is called a 'freak,' 'weirdo,' 'lame,' 'loser,' 'ugly,' and more by those critical of her reporting.ĭid you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide. Language is infrequent but expect to hear 's-t,' 'damn,' and 'ass.' Characters occasionally use variations of the 'F' word (e.g., 'effing').

Synopsis of home before dark novel