Chanticleer of Wilderness Road
Meridel Le Sueur
Chanticleer of Wilderness Road
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Story of Davy Crockett
by Meridel Le Sueur
Illustrated by Aldren A. Watson
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Davy Crockett grips his rifle tightly as the dense forest whispers around him. Suddenly, a rustle in the bushes catches his ear—could it be a dangerous foe or a wild animal? The tension rises, but what happens next is anyone's guess.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction introduces readers to the legendary figure Davy Crockett through a mix of adventure and tall tales set in 19th-century America. Suitable for ages 9-12, it combines humor with historical context, offering an engaging glimpse into early American frontier life without intense content. Parents can expect a lighthearted portrayal of history with some action scenes typical for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Chanticleer of Wilderness Road 9LP
Chanticleer of Wilderness Road is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 153 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Chanticleer of Wilderness Road works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Chanticleer of Wilderness Road as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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, Chanticleer of Wilderness Road explores historical, adventure, humor, and american frontier — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, adventure, humor.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Chanticleer and the fox
Geoffrey Chaucer
Chanticleer and the fox
Geoffrey Chaucer
Chanticleer
Margaret Berrill
Chanticleer
Margaret Berrill
Davy Crockett (Great Tales)
Felicity Trotman
Davy Crockett (Great Tales)
Felicity Trotman
Davy Crockett
Felicity Trotman
Davy Crockett
Felicity Trotman
Davy Crockett
Carole Marsh
Davy Crockett
Carole Marsh
David Crockett, scout
Charles Fletcher Allen
David Crockett, scout
Charles Fletcher Allen
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780930100353
- Pages
- 153
- Publisher
- Holy Cow Press
- Published
- December 1989
- Type
- Fiction