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The problems with goblins

Thomas Kingsley Troupe

Cover of The problems with goblins

The problems with goblins

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Thomas Kingsley Troupe

Illustrated by Gilpin, Stephen, illustrator

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

Goblins are supposed to be sneaky troublemakers, but what if there’s more than one causing chaos at Corman Towers? Furry and Flo discover that goblin problems multiply fast, and the stakes are higher than they ever imagined. What happens when secrets and werewolves get tangled up with mischief?

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fiction book follows Furry and Flo as they uncover multiple goblins causing trouble at Corman Towers, mixing elements of fantasy and mystery with light supernatural themes such as werewolves. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers an engaging story with themes of friendship, secrets, and adventure without intense violence or mature content.

Why we rated The problems with goblins 9LE

The problems with goblins is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 121 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The problems with goblins works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate The problems with goblins as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

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

Thematically, The problems with goblins explores fantasy world-building, mystery, adventure, 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, mystery, adventure.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

3/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

121 pages
ISBN
9781434250421
Pages
121
Publisher
Capstone
Published
2014
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

GoblinsSecretsWerewolvesSecrecyBest FriendsFriendshipFairies