Dickens & Rumi

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Goblins Don't Play Video Games

Marcia Thornton Jones · 1999

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Goblins Don't Play Video Games by Marcia Thornton Jones. This book is recommended for ages 7+; content notes include Frightening scenes, Products & advertising, Violence; positive qualities include Creativity & curiosity, Good role models.

Ages 7+Source checked

Why this age? Short chapter-book prose and comic fantasy suspense suit elementary readers; mild peril and spooky goblin elements may warrant adult judgment for especially sensitive children. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age7+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes2/5
  • Products & advertising1/5
  • Violence1/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Good role models3/5
  • Positive messages3/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

The title references video games, but it does not promote specific products or brands.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

The premise involves mythical creatures, which may be mildly spooky for younger children, but it is handled with humor.

Violence1/5
Why this rating?

There is no real violence in this book; it is a lighthearted mystery.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience2/5
Why this rating?

Children investigate unsettling possibilities and face their fears, with courage presented through teamwork rather than recklessness.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages imaginative play and exploring the possibility of the unknown.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

The cast represents a standard elementary classroom but lacks significant depth in diverse backgrounds.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Incidental information about technology, though the focus is on fictional storytelling.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Friendship and cooperation are recurring social values, though the plot is more focused on mystery and humor than caregiving.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages critical thinking and looking beneath the surface of appearances.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

The child protagonists show initiative and teamwork, though they may also jump to amusing conclusions.

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. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in Goblins Don't Play Video Games would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Goblins Don't Play Video Games, 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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