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Cover of The Chessmen of Doom

The Chessmen of Doom

John Bellairs (1989)

SubgenreChildren's Fantasy
Age groupMiddle Grade 8-12
Content ratingPG
Pages (Quick Read (<250))
SeriesJohnny Dixon and the Professor #7
Setting
CSM age10
Goodreads3.9
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Content levels

ViolenceMild
Sexual contentNone
LanguageNone

Trigger warnings

Mental IllnessPeril

Positive tags

AdventureFriendshipMysteryMentor Figure

Protagonist archetypes

Duo / PartnersComing-of-Age Protagonist

Tropes

Mentor FigureFellowshipHaunted LocationQuestFish out of WaterAncient ArtifactAncient Evil Returns

Themes

FriendshipCourageMystery and DiscoveryGood vs EvilComing of Age

Synopsis

Johnny Dixon, Fergie and Professor Childermass comply with a strange will left by the Professor's brother, which requires them to spend the summer at a desolate estate where they encounter a madman bent on destroying the world.

Is The Chessmen of Doom appropriate for my child?

Suitable for most readers 10 and up.

Middle grade supernatural mystery with mild peril and a menacing villain threatening world destruction. Age-appropriate scares and suspense with a classic good-vs-evil structure.

What to know going in

This book has mild violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include mental illness and peril.

Who'll love this

Kids who love spooky mysteries with eccentric professors and brave young heroes will enjoy this atmospheric adventure.

Tags

Gothic MysterySupernatural ThrillerAdventure