What reading level is A long way from Verona?

A long way from Verona by Jane Gardam is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is A long way from Verona appropriate for?

A long way from Verona is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is A long way from Verona?

A long way from Verona is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does A long way from Verona have any content warnings?

A long way from Verona has a HootRating of 9LE (Light — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is A long way from Verona?

A long way from Verona by Jane Gardam is 190 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated June 9, 2026

A long way from Verona

Jane Gardam

A long way from Verona

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Jane Gardam

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

This is not just any story about a girl growing up; it's the story of a brave young writer who captures the heart of England during its darkest days. Her words bring the turmoil of World War II to life, showing how courage and hope can shine even in the hardest times. Discover why her journey matters to everyone who believes in the power of stories.

Themes

Historical Coming of Age FamilyWar & Conflict

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows a young girl in England as she navigates the challenges of growing up during World War II. Through her eyes, readers gain insight into historical events, the impact of war on families, and the resilience of youth. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book handles wartime themes with sensitivity appropriate for this age group.

Why we rated A long way from Verona 9LE

A long way from Verona is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 190 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A long way from Verona works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate A long way from Verona 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 long way from Verona explores historical, coming of age, family, and war & conflict — 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.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, coming of age, family.