Goblins

Name: Goblins
Author: Philip Reeve
ISBN: 9780545222204

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Philip Reeve

Reading Level 7-8 MP · Moderate · Physical Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes. Its HootRating code, MP, means moderate content, mostly physical.

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About This Book

The sharp clang of swords and the acrid smell of smoke fill the air above the towering spires of Clovenstone. Goblins bicker and battle, their rough voices echoing through dark halls. But young Skarper senses something more dangerous stirring—a magic long thought defeated, ready to burst into chaos and change everything.

Themes

Fantasy World-Building AdventureMagicFriendship

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fantasy novel follows a clever goblin named Skarper who discovers an ancient dark magic resurfacing in his world. Set in a vividly imagined goblin city, the story includes themes of adventure, conflict, and magic suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. Parents should note the presence of fantasy violence and some intense magical battles typical of the genre.

Why we rated Goblins MP (Moderate)

Goblins is written at a Level 7-8 reading level across 340 pages. Middle Grades (Ages 9-12) is the typical interest range for this book — readers in that age band have the maturity and attention span suited to the story, separate from whether they can decode the words.

We rate Goblins as MP (Moderate, mostly physical) because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.

Thematically, Goblins explores fantasy world-building, adventure, magic, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, adventure, magic.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.

For Parents

Content Intensity

MP · Moderate · Physical

Emotional

Mild

Physical

Moderate ←

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Mild

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: high

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?