Cissy Funk
Taylor, Kim.
Cissy Funk
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Taylor, Kim.
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
The dry wind whips dust across the empty Colorado plains, carrying the sharp scent of hardship and hope. Cissy Funk faces cold silences and cold bruises at home, but the warm arrival of Aunt Vera brings a glimmer of light. Still, even the brightest light can cast the darkest shadows, and Cissy’s courage will be tested like never before.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set during the Great Depression in Colorado, this middle-grade novel explores the challenges faced by Cissy Funk, a young girl coping with her absent father, an abusive mother, and family secrets. The story deals with themes of family dysfunction and resilience, including physical abuse, making it suitable for older middle-grade readers who can handle serious emotional content. Parents should be aware of the depiction of domestic violence and emotional hardship.
Why we rated Cissy Funk 11IE
Cissy Funk is written at a Level 6 reading level across 211 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Cissy Funk works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Cissy Funk as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Domestic Violence, Family Dysfunction.
Thematically, Cissy Funk explores family, depression era, coming of age, and resilience — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, depression era, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0060290412
- Pages
- 211
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2001
- Type
- Fiction