For kids who love non-stop action and hilarious antics, this book delivers a thrilling quest filled with unlikely heroes and mischievous underground creatures.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is a reluctant reader who craves non-stop action and humor to stay engaged. It’s perfect for kids who find many chapter books slow or boring. Goblins! is a fast-paced fantasy adventure about two friends, Sam and PJ, who discover a massive underground civilization of comically inept goblins. When Sam is captured, PJ must mount a daring rescue, outsmarting two feuding goblin leaders. The story champions themes of bravery, loyalty, and clever problem-solving over brute force. Appropriate for ages 8 to 12, its blend of high-stakes peril and slapstick comedy makes it a purely entertaining read that will keep kids laughing and eagerly turning the pages.
Scenes in dark tunnels with monsters are consistently offset by humor, making them more exciting.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with peril and capture, but the approach is entirely fantastical and humorous. There are no direct treatments of real-world sensitive topics like death or family trauma. The conflict is external and the resolution is hopeful and straightforward. The 'dangers' are metaphorical for facing fears, but are presented in a very light, slapstick manner.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is an 8 to 11-year-old, particularly a reluctant reader, who loves fantasy, monsters, and lots of laughs. This child thrives on fast-paced plots, video game-style quests, and isn't looking for a deep, emotional story. They enjoy gross-out humor (e.g., goblin names like Eww-Yuk) and stories where cleverness wins over strength.
Parent Prep
No prep is needed; the book can be read cold. Parents should be aware that the humor is silly and occasionally gross, in a way that appeals to this age group (e.g., descriptions of goblin habits). The violence is very cartoonish and not graphic. A parent hears their child say, "I'm bored with reading," or asks for "a funny book with monsters and action." The parent is looking for a book that is pure entertainment, something to hook their child on the joy of reading without being preachy or emotionally heavy.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will primarily enjoy the slapstick comedy, the chase scenes, and the simple, heroic goal of rescuing a friend. An older reader (10-12) will better appreciate the world-building, the satire in the goblin society's politics, and the clever ways PJ manipulates the situation to his advantage. They will see the structure of the quest and the character's ingenuity more clearly.
What Makes It Special
Among the many middle-grade fantasy adventures, this book's defining feature is its relentless, slapstick humor. While others balance adventure with serious stakes or complex emotional journeys, Goblins! prioritizes laughs. The monsters are more comically inept than genuinely terrifying, making the peril feel thrilling rather than scary. It’s less Lord of the Rings and more a subterranean Three Stooges adventure.
Read plot summary
Two friends, Sam and PJ, discover a goblin in the woods near their home. Driven by curiosity, Sam follows a tunnel into the goblin's subterranean world and is quickly captured. The vast goblin society is in turmoil, led by two squabbling leaders, Eww-Yuk and Slurp. PJ must venture into the dangerous Underearth alone to rescue his friend, using his wits and ingenuity to navigate the tunnels and exploit the goblins' chaotic nature to his advantage.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
PJ was scared to go into the goblin tunnels, but he went anyway to save Sam. What do you think is the difference between being brave and not being afraid at all?
2
The goblin leaders, Eww-Yuk and Slurp, were always fighting with each other. How did their bad teamwork make it easier for PJ to get through their kingdom?
3
PJ couldn't fight thousands of goblins. What was one of the cleverest ways he used his brain, instead of his fists, to outsmart them?
4
Sam's curiosity led him to get captured. Do you think it's always a good thing to be curious? When might it be important to be cautious instead?
