Cody
David K. Draper
Cody
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel That Motivates Towards Success
by David K. Draper
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
The warm scent of fresh hay fills the air as Cody steps onto his uncle’s old farm. The sound of laughter and chatter from a group of seven lively kids drifts through the fields. But what lessons will Cody learn from these misfit students before summer fades away?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This story follows Cody, a young man who spends a summer teaching seven unique local kids on his late uncle’s farm. Intended as a brief stay before starting a tech job, Cody’s experience becomes a heartfelt journey about teaching, friendship, and discovering what success truly means. Suitable for early readers aged 5-8, the book gently explores themes of growth and happiness without intense content.
Why we rated Cody 8LE
Cody is written at a Level 3 reading level across 88 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Cody works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Cody as 8LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Cody explores friendship, coming of age, family, teachers, and success — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LE — Light — EmotionalNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0882904094
- Pages
- 88
- Publisher
- Horizon Pub & Dist Incorporated
- Published
- 1990
- Type
- Fiction