By the Shores of Silver Lake

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Cover of By the Shores of Silver Lake

By the Shores of Silver Lake

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Little House

Reading Level 5-6 Gentle (Lvl 1) Ages 9-12 Balanced Read
Newbery Honor

The text is written at a 5th 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

Laura Ingalls and her family leave their cozy home by Plum Creek to start a new life in the wild Dakota Territory. As Pa works on the railroad and claims land for their new house, Laura experiences her very first train ride and the excitement of building a brand-new town by Silver Lake. Together, they face the challenges of frontier life, ready to create a fresh beginning.

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5-6 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 1 — Gentle
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

6/10

Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
2
Narrative Pace
5
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
9
Data Confidence
8

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Details

Book Length

290 pages
57,240 words
6h 22m read-aloud
ISBN
0064400050
Pages
290
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published
1981
Type
Fiction
Word Count
57,240
Read-Aloud
~6h 22m
Text Density
Standard

Genres

Subjects

Frontier and Pioneer LifeFamily LifeNewbery HonorFamiliesFamilyNovela JuvenilFrontera Y ExploradoresFamiliaVida Fronteriza Y PioneraVidaSocial Life and CustomsManners and CustomsPionniers19e SiècleMinnesotaNorth DakotaWestAward:Newbery_awardTreckFamilie

People

Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957)

Places

South DakotaUSAWisconsin