Baboon
David Jones
Baboon
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by David Jones
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Gerry clings to the jagged rock, wind howling around him as the broken plane smokes below. Suddenly, something inside him shifts—he’s not the same boy anymore. What strange new power has the crash awakened?
Quick Assessment
Baboon follows fourteen-year-old Gerry Copeland after a plane crash triggers a mysterious transformation. This middle-grade fiction explores themes of change and identity suitable for ages 9-12. The story contains mild peril and emotional challenges but remains appropriate for its intended audience.
Why we rated Baboon 9ME
Baboon is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 180 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Baboon works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Baboon as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Baboon explores adventure, coming of age, family, and science & nature — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781554510535
- Pages
- 180
- Publisher
- Annick Press
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction