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Starship Traveller

Steve Jackson · 1984

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Starship Traveller by Steve Jackson. This book is recommended for ages 12+; content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Violence; positive qualities include Creativity & curiosity, Courage & resilience.

Ages 12+Source checked

Why this age? Content-guidance estimate derived from the complete published caution profile. It does not measure reading difficulty and is not a safety guarantee; family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age12+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Violence3/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Good role models2/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

It is part of the Fighting Fantasy gamebook line, but the story itself is not primarily an advertisement or a push to buy products.

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

The reader's character can die if they make poor choices or fail combat rolls, resulting in a game-over scenario.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Danger and injury may be mentioned, but graphic blood or detailed bodily damage is not a prominent feature.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Language is appropriate for a young adult audience, containing no strong profanity.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Alien environments, dangerous encounters, survival pressures, and the possibility of failure create sustained adventure tension.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Repeated combat and threats occur during the space adventure, including battles with hostile creatures and opponents; violence is fantastical rather than realistic.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Facing unknown worlds, hostile forces, and dangerous setbacks is central; success depends on persistence and bravery under pressure.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Branching choices, imaginative space exploration, alien encounters, and strategic problem-solving strongly stimulate creative thinking.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Characters are largely defined by their roles within the ship crew; diversity is not a focal point of the period or genre.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Promotes basic resource management and reading comprehension through the gamebook format.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

The narrative allows for choices involving diplomacy and helping alien species, though it is not a central theme.

Positive messages2/5
Why this rating?

The central theme is decision-making, emphasizing that choices have consequences.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

The crew and reader-character are encouraged to show leadership, resourcefulness, and responsibility, although the game structure permits risky choices.

Family discussion

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

  1. What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in Starship Traveller would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Starship Traveller, 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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