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Midnight for Charlie Bone: Children of the Red King, Book 1

(2006, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Jenny Nimmo)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Mild but enjoyable fantasy good for middle grades.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence :

    A dog is attacked, and Charlie is threatened by a werewolf.
  • Sex :

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Charlie's uncle drinks wine.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Midnight for Charlie Bone: Children of the Red King, Book 1

Parents need to know that this has to be the least violent, least scary of all the thick fantasy books on the market. The worst thing that happens is that a dog gets scratched up by a wolf, and even that is not described.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the comparisons between this series and the Harry Potter books. What are the similarities and differences? What makes one series better than the other?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 1.0

    It's resemblance to Harry Potter has had people criticize it

    but I still think it's a very good series, and this was a nice start. I'm currently reading Book 7.

  2. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0

    A half-hearted novel.

    Jenny Nimmo seems to have just one day decided to make a series as good as Harry Potter. And yet, the work comes off as only half as good as it could be. Something CB fans may not know is that even though the other four following books are listed here, there are two other CB books that Nimmo released without warning: CHARLIE BONE AND THE BEAST, and CHARLIE BONE AND THE SHADOW, both of which are about as good - if not worse -than this one.

  3. Kid Reviewer
    Age 11
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    Charlie Bone

    This book is okay. I do say that there is some witchcraft in this, so if you don't support witchcraft, this book might not be suitable for you. There are some evil aunts in this book that like to terrorize Charlie and his Uncle. And, of course, they do commercialize the book.

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Anonymous
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    Harry Potter remake

    Charlie Bone compared to harry potter is terrible. However, I found the story itself to be entertaining nontheless. But, if you were to ask me which was better, I would definitally say Harry Potter.

  5. Kid Reviewer
    Age 12
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    LOVE IT

    I LOVE this series!!!!! once i start reading the book its hard to stop!

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