Dickens & Rumi

book

The black camel

Earl Derr Biggers · 1929

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for The black camel by Earl Derr Biggers. This book is recommended for ages 14+; content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Strong language; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

Ages 14+Source checked

Why this age? The novel centers on a murder investigation with suspense, threats, deception, and mature social themes. Violence is generally not graphically described, but the adult plot and period attitudes suit mature teens and older readers. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Show Wikipedia summary

Open to load a short Wikipedia summary.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Strong language3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Good role models3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

A murder is the central event, with investigation and consequences surrounding the victim's death.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Deals with a murder, but details are not visceral or graphic.

Strong language3/5
Why this rating?

The period setting includes dated racial terminology and other language that may be offensive to modern readers, though it is not consistently severe.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Supernatural themes related to fortune-telling or occult interest appear briefly.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Features light romantic subplots characteristic of the era's mystery novels.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Contains moments of suspense and unease typical of 1920s detective fiction.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

No explicit sexual content or nudity.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Casual mentions of social drinking typical of the period.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

The book centers on a murder investigation. Violent acts are described after the fact rather than depicted in graphic detail.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Characters exhibit quiet bravery while confronting mysteries and threats.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages analytical thinking and deductive reasoning.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Features a Chinese-American protagonist, though portrayed through the lens of 1920s literature.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Provides insight into the historical and cultural setting of 1920s Hawaii.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Charlie Chan is generally courteous and shows concern for others, but kindness is secondary to the murder investigation and not the book’s main theme.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Promotes justice, observation, and logical thinking.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Charlie Chan is portrayed as wise, patient, and ethical.

Family discussion

Talk about it

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 black camel would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The black camel, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community reactions

What families noticed

Add your perspective

Sign in from the homepage to rate this title.

Where to get it

As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop.org affiliate, Dickens & Rumi may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

If you liked this

Try something nearby

Related by age fit, format, and catalogue context.

These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

Report an incorrect rating