Billy Stuart and the Zintrepids
Alain M. Bergeron
Billy Stuart and the Zintrepids
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Alain M. Bergeron
Illustrated by Sampar, illustrator
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if you could follow secret clues through twisting caves to catch a legendary adventurer before he disappears? Imagine stepping into a world where time travel is real and every step could change everything. Billy Stuart is about to discover that some journeys have no turning back—are you ready to join the adventure?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This illustrated middle-grade book follows Billy Stuart, a young raccoon inspired by his grandfather's fearless adventures. When he uncovers clues leading to his grandfather's time-traveling voyage, Billy and his Scout pack, the Zintrepids, embark on a thrilling quest filled with puzzles and challenges. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story encourages problem-solving and imagination without intense content.
Why we rated Billy Stuart and the Zintrepids 9C
Billy Stuart and the Zintrepids is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 159 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Billy Stuart and the Zintrepids works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Billy Stuart and the Zintrepids as 9C ("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, Billy Stuart and the Zintrepids explores adventure, friendship, scouts, animals, and puzzles and games — 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 adventure, friendship, scouts.
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
9C — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781459818378
- Pages
- 159
- Publisher
- Orca Book Publishers
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction