The overall major concern comes from an aspect of the real life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (see below how he relates) that the author of this book decided to weave in an unfortunate part of his life, where he became “as spiritualist” as she describes in the author’s note. We Christians would consider this an unbiblical view of the non-physical world. The way this gets presented to our children is through side characters. The first we meet is overly obsessed with death and related topics. He makes many unfortunate comments. They come across is lighter than it will seem here, but we still wish they weren’t there. Examples: “What’s more fascinating than death”, “eager to begin communicating with the dead”, “might be able to contact her spirit”, “people who die sudden deaths often can’t fully pass over to the spirit world”, “I would be a shade wandering the spirit world for eternity” and “Each second is simply another step in the march toward our inevitable end”. He also saves “grave rubbings” (says his mom made him stop collecting animal bones).

There are also a couple of other side characters who are a part of an organization that delves into the metaphysical world from an academic, non-Christian viewpoint. This field of study mentions ghosts, fortune-telling and such). On a tour of the school the main character sees these two sitting across from each other holding hands and chanting. One person on the tour asks if they are having a seance.

There is also a point where a scientist uses hypnosis and cures one girl of a rash and gets another to sing (“mind over matter” is mentioned). This is set long ago so when students describe a professor doing incredible things with the new concept of electricity she is described as a witch or ‘god’. She replies that science is “simply magic made knowable” and that “you might say witches were some of the earliest scientists”.

We also want to point out an example of an unfortunate trend we see often in movies and books. There is a comment at one point where a female character comments that, “It’s not easy you know, to be a woman with dreams. At least ones that don’t involve slaving over a hot oven all day”. In response the main character wonders about his own mom “what could she have been if given a chance?” This is unfortunate because as we see so often, in an attempt to lift up what women can do, we often belittle the unimaginably vital role of a mother and wife.

Other concerning content:

One professor says that she likes students who “bend” the rules. She goes on to say that she has spent her life trying to break them (the rules) in half.

Main character’s little sister “loved nothing more than a good disaster”.

Boxing is held in a positive light. We see a small boxing match between students.

The term “damned” is used. A book is referred to as “a doctor’s Bible”. There is a comment that family is “the greatest thing of all” (sweet, but untrue).