Calling Jane Stump
Nancy Gayle Carlson
Calling Jane Stump
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Nomoore Mysteries #2
by Nancy Gayle Carlson
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: Nellie has found an old phone that lets her call the past. She dials back to 1964 and talks to a younger version of her mom, but what she discovers about Jane Stump changes everything—and that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
Calling Jane Stump is a middle-grade mystery about Nellie, who uses a magical phone to connect with her mother’s past and uncover family secrets. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores themes of family conflict and understanding, with mild emotional tension related to divorce and strained relationships. Parents should note the story involves time travel and some complex emotional dynamics.
Why we rated Calling Jane Stump 9LE
Calling Jane Stump is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 187 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Calling Jane Stump works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Calling Jane Stump as 9LE ("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, Calling Jane Stump explores mystery, family, and coming of age — 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 mystery, family, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9781737609513
- Pages
- 187
- Publisher
- Reeds and Wrights Books
- Published
- 2021
- Type
- Fiction