A nose for adventure
Richard Scrimger
A nose for adventure
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Richard Scrimger
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
Alan’s plane lands in New York, but his dad is nowhere to be found. His cranky seatmate Frieda suddenly faces danger while waiting for her wheelchair, and an abandoned dog named Sally shows up just when things get crazier. And then, out of nowhere, Norbert—the alien living in Alan’s nose—returns, ready to help in the wild chase through the city!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade sequel blends humor and suspense as Alan navigates a chaotic trip to New York City. With themes of friendship, disability, and extraterrestrial fun, it offers an engaging story for kids ages 9-12. Some scenes involve mild peril and mystery but remain appropriate for the target audience.
Why we rated A nose for adventure 9LP
A nose for adventure is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 176 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A nose for adventure works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate A nose for adventure as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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 nose for adventure explores dogs, people with disabilities, extraterrestrial beings, mystery, and friendship — 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 dogs, people with disabilities, extraterrestrial beings.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Fin
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780887764998
- Pages
- 176
- Publisher
- Tundra Books
- Published
- 2000
- Type
- Fiction