Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Around the world
Matt Phelan
Around the world
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Matt Phelan
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. Its HootRating code, LE, means mild content, mostly emotional.
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About This Book
Three fearless adventurers set out to conquer the impossible—circling the globe alone at a time when the world was still a mystery. Thomas Stevens races on his bicycle, Nellie Bly reports with unstoppable courage, and Joshua Slocum sails seas no one dared to cross. Their journeys changed history—and they’ll change how you see bravery forever.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This graphic novel tells the true stories of three pioneering adventurers who circled the world alone in the late 19th century. It blends historical facts with vivid illustrations, making it an engaging read for children aged 9-12. Parents should note the book celebrates courage and perseverance without any content concerns, suitable for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Around the world LE (Mild)
Around the world is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 235 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage Around the world on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
We rate Around the world as LE (Mild, mostly 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, Around the world explores adventure, historical, friendship, science & nature, and comic books — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, historical, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
LE · Mild · EmotionalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780763636197
- Pages
- 235
- Publisher
- Candlewick Press
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction