Dickens & Rumi
Cover of The Purple Ball

film

The Purple Ball

1988

Alisa Seleznyova and her father professor Seleznyov are traveling in space. They meet their old friend archaeologist Gromozeka, who's just discovered a planet all inhabitants of which died. It became known that they discovered a virus of hostility, got infected and killed each other. Gromozeka also discovered that they had left the virus on Earth 26000 years ago, and the virus is about to become loose. The only chance to save the Earth is to travel 26000 years back in time - to the epoch when witches, dragons and magicians lived along with usual people.

Ages 10+Source checked

Why this age? The story centers on a deadly virus, a planet whose inhabitants killed one another, and a mission involving danger and frightening fantasy elements. Older children can likely handle the adventure context. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age10+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Violence3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Good role models3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

An entire planet’s population died after infected inhabitants killed one another. This is central to the plot, though described as backstory rather than shown.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

A hostile virus, a dead planet, dragons, witches, and the threat of global infection create sustained peril and potentially frightening imagery.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

The premise includes infected inhabitants killing one another and an impending threat to Earth; adventure danger is central, though action intensity is unclear.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Traveling through space and 26,000 years into the past to stop a threat requires sustained bravery and determination.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Space travel, time travel, alien worlds, dragons, witches, and magicians provide strong imaginative and inventive adventure elements.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

The story includes alien and historical-fantasy populations, but the evidence does not establish substantial real-world human diversity or representation.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Explores science fiction themes of space travel and historical progression.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Strong emphasis on helping others and solving problems through non-violent cooperation.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

The premise supports cooperation, responsibility, and protecting Earth from a destructive force of hostility.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Alisa is an intelligent, proactive, and brave protagonist.

Family discussion

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

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in The Purple Ball would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Purple Ball, 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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