An Angel for May
Melvin Burgess
An Angel for May
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Melvin Burgess
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What if you could travel back in time and meet someone who needs your help more than anything? Tam finds himself in a small English town during World War II, where life is full of challenges and secrets. Can his friendship bring hope to a girl struggling to heal on a lonely farm?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction novel follows Tam, who time-travels to a rural English town during World War II, where he befriends a young girl coping with trauma on a farm. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story gently explores themes of friendship, resilience, and the impact of war on everyday life. Parents should note the historical wartime setting and the emotional challenges faced by the characters.
Why we rated An Angel for May 11LE
An Angel for May is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, An Angel for May works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate An Angel for May as 11LE ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Fear & Anxiety, Emotional: Trauma.
Thematically, An Angel for May explores friendship, historical, war & conflict, farm & ranch life, and coming of age — 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 friendship, historical, war & conflict.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780140369816
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- Penguin Books, Limited (UK)
- Published
- September 29, 1994
- Type
- Fiction