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A sense of place, or, Virgil is still the frogboy

Lanford Wilson

Cover of A sense of place, or, Virgil is still the frogboy

A sense of place, or, Virgil is still the frogboy

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Play in Two Acts

by Lanford Wilson

Reading Level 3 8LE Ages 13+ Matched

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

Schuyler Browne isn’t just any kid with a fancy last name—he’s at a crossroads, juggling friendship, family, and figuring out who he really is. When spring arrives at the Hamptons, everything changes in ways no one expected, and it all matters more than ever.

Quick Assessment

This young adult novel explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, and social dynamics among teenagers spending a pivotal spring in the Hamptons. While the story is appropriate for teens aged 13 to 18, it thoughtfully addresses identity and coming-of-age challenges without intense content. Parents can expect a drama-rich narrative that encourages reflection on personal growth and relationships.

Why we rated A sense of place, or, Virgil is still the frogboy 8LE

A sense of place, or, Virgil is still the frogboy is written at a Level 3 reading level across 76 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A sense of place, or, Virgil is still the frogboy works for readers up to grade 5.0.

We rate A sense of place, or, Virgil is still the frogboy 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 sense of place, or, Virgil is still the frogboy explores friendship, coming of age, family, and drama — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

  • Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
  • Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
  • Kids drawn to stories about friendship, coming of age, family.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

8LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Clear
Social
Light
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
2
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
3
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

76 pages
ISBN
0822215926
Pages
76
Publisher
Dramatists Play Service Inc
Published
1999
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Young AdultsDramaFriendshipHampstons

Places

Hampstons (N.Y.)