The Hobbit
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Fantasy, Classics, Fiction, Adventure, Young-Adult, Science-Fiction-Fantasy, High-Fantasy
“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.”
Written for J.R.R. Tolkien’s own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when it was first published in 1937. Now recognized as a timeless classic, this introduction to the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth recounts of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent.
Recommendations from Common Sense Media
Age Recommendation: 9+
What Parents Need to Know:
Parents need to know that, of J.R.R. Tolkien’s many excellent books, The Hobbit is the better choice for tweens. It makes a great read-aloud for kids 8 and up and read-alone for 10 or 11 and up. Kids younger than 8 will probably have a tough time with both the vocabulary and some of the violence. Of particular note for bedtime readers: scary scenes in the pitch-blackness when Bilbo the hobbit is threatened by goblins and trolls in caves, and a very creepy scene with Gollum, who keeps thinking about how he’d like to eat Bilbo. The dwarves and Bilbo are captured a few times, whipped once, almost cooked once, and strung upside down to be eaten later. Swords and arrows kill in a big battle that includes some sad deaths. Few truly gory details except a goblin head and a wolf skin propped up on a gate. And there are fights with big spiders and evil wolves. Dwarves, Gandalf, and Bilbo love their drink and making smoke rings from their pipes. This classic adventure brings out the best in the little hobbit at its center: bravery, loyalty, cunning, and the guts to take a stand against friends blinded by greed so he can help bring about peace. Rob Inglis reads the audiobook version.
Educational Value: 3/5
Dig deeper into J.R.R. Tolkien’s world, and readers will find out more about his made-up languages and runes, as well as art inspired by this book and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Younger readers will also build up their vocabulary, so keep a dictionary handy. Words like “flummoxed” should be looked up so kids get the full enjoyment out of Tolkien’s beautiful writing.
Positive Messages: 4/5
Shows how greed for riches can blind you and that peace is more important than shiny possessions. Also, that giving up the comforts of home is worth it for adventure, but it’s always nice to find home again. Throughout the book, a big value is placed on bravery, friendship, and using brains over brawn.
Positive Role Models: 4/5
Bilbo is hired as a thief and does do some stealing from enemies, but mostly he shows bravery, cunning, and loyalty to his group of travelers while helping them get out of a number of sticky situations. Most heroically, he takes a stand against Thorin, hoping to show him that his greed for gold isn’t worth spilling blood over. Gandalf is a mentor for the dwarves and Bilbo, advising them on how to reach their goal and avoid danger but also imparting much wisdom along the way.
Violence & Scariness: 3/5
Fights with a dragon, trolls, giant spiders, wood elves, goblins, and evil wolves. The dwarves and Bilbo are captured a few times, whipped once, almost cooked once, and strung upside down to be eaten later. Swords and arrows kill in a big battle that includes some sad deaths. There’s talk of how a dragon destroyed whole towns of men and dwarves around his hoard. Bilbo has a creepy encounter in the dark with Gollum, who keeps thinking about how he’d like to eat him. Few truly gory details except a goblin head and a wolf skin propped up on a gate.
Sex, Romance & Nudity: n/a
n/a
Language: 1/5
“Hell” (spelled “‘ell”) and “curse it!”
Products & Purchases: n/a
n/a
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking: 2/5
Lots of tobacco smoking with pipes — trying to get big rings and magically float them. Drinking, too, by dwarves, elves, and Gandalf. Two elves fall asleep drinking.
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