A promise is to keep
Patricia Topp
A promise is to keep
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Patricia Topp
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Barbara stands at the edge of summer camp, heart pounding as she faces her toughest challenge yet. Every choice she makes could change everything about who she is and what she promises to become. But will she keep her promise when it matters most?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader story follows Barbara as she navigates the challenges of summer camp, learning important lessons about responsibility and trust. Suitable for ages 5-8, it gently explores themes of maturation and reliability without overwhelming young readers. Parents can expect a positive message about personal growth and keeping promises.
Why we rated A promise is to keep 8LE
A promise is to keep is written at a Level 3 reading level across 99 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A promise is to keep works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate A promise is to keep as 8LE ("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 promise is to keep explores camps, maturation, reliability, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about camps, maturation, reliability.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781425150761
- Pages
- 99
- Publisher
- Trafford Publishing
- Published
- 2008
- Type
- Fiction