Black Ulysses
Jef Geeraerts
Black Ulysses
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jef Geeraerts
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
There’s a secret world hidden beneath the waves and beyond the horizon, where adventure waits for those brave enough to seek it. One young hero discovers mysteries that will change everything—but that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Black Ulysses is a middle-grade fiction book suitable for ages 9-12, centering on a young protagonist’s adventurous journey filled with discovery and mystery. The story offers engaging themes appropriate for this age group, encouraging imagination and exploration without intense content concerns.
Why we rated Black Ulysses 11C
Black Ulysses is written at a Level 6 reading level across 268 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Black Ulysses works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Black Ulysses 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, Black Ulysses explores adventure, friendship, and children's fiction — 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, children's fiction.
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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0670172782
- Pages
- 268
- Publisher
- Viking Books
- Published
- 1978
- Type
- Fiction