Caillou the Phone Call (Clubhouse)
Marilyn Pleau-Murissi
Caillou the Phone Call (Clubhouse)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Marilyn Pleau-Murissi
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
The soft buzz of Mommy's phone fills the room, making Caillou's world feel a little quieter. He watches as she talks and talks, and a strange feeling starts to grow inside him — like he's invisible. What will Caillou do when he feels left out on a busy day?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This gentle story follows Caillou as he experiences feelings of loneliness and exclusion when his mother is preoccupied with phone calls. Aimed at children ages 9-12, it thoughtfully explores emotions related to family dynamics and social situations, making it a helpful tool for discussing feelings with young readers.
Why we rated Caillou the Phone Call (Clubhouse) 9C
Caillou the Phone Call (Clubhouse) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Caillou the Phone Call (Clubhouse) works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Caillou the Phone Call (Clubhouse) 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Fear & Anxiety, Loneliness, Emotional.
Thematically, Caillou the Phone Call (Clubhouse) explores family, emotions & feelings, and social situations — 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 family, emotions & feelings, social situations.
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.
Content Flags
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- ISBN
- 9780613852074
- Publisher
- Turtleback
- Published
- September 2003
- Type
- Fiction