Call me Drog
Sue Cowing
Call me Drog
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sue Cowing
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Parker’s hand isn’t just his own—it’s taken over by a puppet with a mind of its own! This isn’t any ordinary puppet; it’s dangerous enough to threaten Parker’s future, unless he learns to stand up for himself. Why does the puppet hold so much power, and can Parker break free before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Call Me Drog follows eleven-year-old Parker as he struggles with a mysterious puppet that won’t let go of his hand, symbolizing his challenges with self-confidence and family relationships. Appropriate for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of personal growth and standing up to friends and family, presented in an accessible middle-grade fiction format. Parents should note the book includes mild tension around the puppet’s influence but handles it thoughtfully.
Why we rated Call me Drog 12LE
Call me Drog is written at a Level 7 reading level across 316 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Call me Drog works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Call me Drog as 12LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Call me Drog explores puppets, juvenile fiction, self-confidence, family, and friendship — 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 puppets, juvenile fiction, self-confidence.
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
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781409543992
- Pages
- 316
- Publisher
- Usborne Books
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction