HootRated mascot HootRated

Call Me the Canyon

Ann Howard Creel

Cover of Call Me the Canyon

Call Me the Canyon

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Love Story

by Ann Howard Creel

Reading Level 6 11LE Ages 13+ Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

What if your whole world changed when you left behind everything you knew? Imagine leaving a quiet life in the Utah wilderness to live with a new family full of surprises and secrets. Could Madolen find a place to belong, or would her past catch up with her?

Themes

Love & RomanceHistorical FictionComing of AgeFamily

Quick Assessment

Set at the end of the 19th century, this historical fiction novel follows fifteen-year-old Madolen as she leaves an isolated life in Utah to be adopted by a Mormon family. The story explores themes of identity, belonging, and young love, suitable for teens aged 13-18. Parents should note the book’s focus on historical and cultural settings with some emotional depth but no graphic content.

Why we rated Call Me the Canyon 11LE

Call Me the Canyon is written at a Level 6 reading level across 205 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Call Me the Canyon works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Call Me the Canyon as 11LE ("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 the Canyon explores love & romance, historical fiction, coming of age, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

  • Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
  • Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
  • Kids drawn to stories about love & romance, historical fiction, coming of age.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Clear
Social
Light
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

Similar Books

Based on content and theme analysis

See all books like this →

Details

Book Length

205 pages
ISBN
9780976812647
Pages
205
Publisher
Brown Barn Books
Published
September 30, 2006
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Love & RomanceHistorical FictionRomanceWesternHistoricalUnited States19th CenturyCanyonsMormonsMan-woman RelationshipsLove