Dickens & Rumi

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Franklin Plays The Game

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Paulette Bourgeois; Brenda Clark · 1995

Is Franklin Plays The Game appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Franklin Plays The Game by Paulette Bourgeois; Brenda Clark. This book is content notes include Strong language; positive qualities include Good role models, Kindness & empathy.

Book 7 · Franklin (Original Series)Source checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsStrong language 1/5
Strongest positivesGood role models 4/5 · Kindness & empathy 4/5
Series positionBook 7 · Franklin (Original Series)
Recommendation3.5/5

Good role models; strongest caution: strong language.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Good role models; strongest caution: strong language.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Strong language 1/5
Recommendation 3.5/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
8Scored categories
8Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 7, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

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Review depth8 scored categories8 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Strong language1/5

Strongest positives

  • Good role models4/5
  • Kindness & empathy4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 8 · Franklin wants a petStrongest cautions: Frightening scenes 1/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · Franklin in the Dark
    Frightening scenes2/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 3 · Franklin FibsAges 4+
    Frightening scenes1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  3. Book 5 · Franklin Is Bossy
    Strong language1/5
    About the same
  4. Book 6 · Franklin is MessyAges 3+
    Strong language1/5
    About the same
  5. Book 7 · Franklin Plays The Game
    Strong language1/5
    About the same
  6. Book 8 · Franklin wants a petAges 3+
    Frightening scenes1/5
    About the same
  7. Book 9 · Franklin Goes to School
    Frightening scenes1/5
    About the same
  8. Book 10 · Franklin's Blanket
    Frightening scenes1/5
    About the same
  9. Book 11 · Franklin and the Tooth Fairy
    Frightening scenes1/5
    About the same
  10. Book 12 · Franklin Has a Sleepover
    Frightening scenes1/5
    About the same
  11. Book 13 · Franklin's Halloween
    Frightening scenes1/5Products & advertising1/5
    About the same
  12. Book 14 · Franklin's School Play
    Frightening scenes1/5Products & advertising1/5
    About the same
  13. Book 15 · Franklin's Bad Day
    Frightening scenes1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  14. Book 16 · Franklin Rides a Bike (Franklin)Ages 4+
    Frightening scenes1/5Products & advertising1/5
    About the same
  15. Book 17 · Franklin's New Friend
    Gets gentler
  16. Book 18 · Finders Keepers for Franklin
    Frightening scenes1/5
    About the same
  17. Book 19 · Franklin and the Thunderstorm (Franklin the Turtle)Ages 4+
    Frightening scenes2/5Products & advertising1/5
    Gets more intense
  18. Book 20 · Franklin's Valentines
    Products & advertising1/5Romance1/5
    About the same
  19. Book 21 · Franklin's Secret Club
    Frightening scenes1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  20. Book 22 · Franklin's Christmas Gift
    Frightening scenes1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5
    About the same
  21. Book 23 · Franklin's Class Trip
    Frightening scenes1/5
    Gets gentler
  22. Book 24 · Franklin's Neighborhood
    Frightening scenes1/5Products & advertising1/5
    About the same
  23. Book 25 · Franklin Goes to the Hospital
    Frightening scenes2/5
    About the same
  24. Book 26 · Franklin's Baby Sister
    Gets gentler
  25. Book 28 · Franklin's Thanksgiving
    Frightening scenes1/5Religious themes1/5
    Gets more intense
  26. Book 29 · Franklin says I love youAges 3+
    Products & advertising1/5
    About the same

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What’s in it?

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

There may be mild expressions of frustration or disagreement, without strong profanity.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience2/5
Why this rating?

Characters show modest emotional courage by acknowledging problems and trying to play more fairly.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Play and imaginative participation are present, but inventive problem-solving is not the main focus.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

The animal friend group offers varied personalities and perspectives, though not broad human demographic representation.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

It informally teaches social-emotional skills such as turn-taking, rule-following, and managing disappointment.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Friendship, cooperation, inclusion, and consideration for other players are important.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strongly encourages fairness, following shared rules, good sportsmanship, and coping constructively with losing.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Franklin and his friends learn from mistakes and model listening, fairness, and taking responsibility.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. Which character was the best role model, and what did they do that you admired?
  2. Why do you think the characters used the language they did? Did it change how you saw them?
  3. Which choice in Franklin Plays The Game would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Franklin Plays The Game, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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