A taste of rabbit tracks
Mike Shields
A taste of rabbit tracks
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
expedition into a frozen wilderness
by Mike Shields
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
James Christie pushes through thick underbrush, heart pounding as the shadows of the Olympic Wilderness close in around him. Suddenly, a strange sound echoes nearby—what could it be? The mystery of the wild is just beginning to unfold.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This fictional story recounts the 1889 expedition of James Christie into the Olympic Wilderness, blending adventure and historical exploration for middle-grade readers. It offers an engaging introduction to geography and the spirit of discovery without any intense content, suitable for ages 9-12.
Why we rated A taste of rabbit tracks 11C
A taste of rabbit tracks is written at a Level 6 reading level across 239 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A taste of rabbit tracks works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate A taste of rabbit tracks as 11C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, A taste of rabbit tracks explores explorers, adventure, historical, science & nature, and family — 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 explorers, adventure, historical.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
- 0682490822
- Pages
- 239
- Publisher
- Exposition Press
- Published
- 1978
- Type
- Fiction