Dickens & Rumi

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Ghostopolis

Doug TenNapel · 2010

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapel. This book is recommended for ages 13+; content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Violence; positive qualities include Creativity & curiosity, Courage & resilience.

Ages 13+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.

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At a glance

Recommended age13+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Violence3/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity5/5
  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Death and the afterlife are foundational to the story; ghosts include Garth's deceased grandfather and Frank's deceased former fiancée.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Animated, stylistic violence; focus is on the supernatural nature rather than graphic injury.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Includes mild insults and occasional name-calling.

Religious themes2/5
Why this rating?

The book presents a fictional afterlife and ghosts, with ideas about unfinished business and reconciliation, rather than detailed conventional religious practice.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Frank Gallows' past relationship with his ghost ex-fiancée is a plot point.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

A young boy is stranded in a hostile afterlife and faces a skeletal Nightmare and attacking velociraptor skeletons, creating sustained frightening danger.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Mention of past alcoholism regarding a deceased character.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Fantasy peril includes attacks by hostile creatures, skeletal velociraptors, ghost apprehension, and chase-like danger; violence is adventurous rather than realistic.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Garth faces a dangerous supernatural environment, protects his companion, and persists despite illness and isolation.

Creativity & curiosity5/5
Why this rating?

The imaginative premise combines ghosts, an afterlife city, supernatural immigration agents, changing ghostly ages, and inventive creatures and devices.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Limited scope of human characters; typical for a narrow fantasy cast.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Garth befriends and cares for Skinny, and the plot centers on helping Garth return and repairing strained family bonds.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

The story supports reconciliation, taking responsibility for past harm, repairing family relationships, and helping others through frightening circumstances.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Protagonists show character growth, taking responsibility for mistakes and demonstrating resilience.

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 Ghostopolis would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Ghostopolis, and what caused that change?
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