A clear spring
Barbara Wilson
A clear spring
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Barbara Wilson
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
I’m about to tell you a secret: Salmon Creek is hiding something strange beneath its sparkling waters. Someone—or something—is polluting the creek, and the clues are more puzzling than anyone expected. But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery by Barbara Wilson explores environmental themes as young characters investigate pollution in Salmon Creek. The story weaves in cultural elements related to Panamanian American and racially mixed identities, set in Seattle. Appropriate for ages 9-12, it encourages awareness of environmental protection without graphic content.
Why we rated A clear spring 9LE
A clear spring is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 173 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A clear spring works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate A clear spring as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, A clear spring explores environmental protection, pollution, multicultural, and mystery — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about environmental protection, pollution, multicultural.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 1558612777
- Pages
- 173
- Publisher
- The Feminist Press at CUNY
- Published
- 2002
- Type
- Fiction