Coeur d'Alene
Mary Hallock Foote
Coeur d'Alene
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Mary Hallock Foote
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Coeur d'Alene is not just a story—it's a journey into a wild Idaho frontier where courage shapes every moment. Meet characters who face challenges that change their lives forever, showing how bravery can light the darkest paths. Their struggles and triumphs matter because they reveal the heart of what it means to grow and belong.
Quick Assessment
Set in the historical landscape of Idaho, this middle-grade novel explores themes of courage, community, and personal growth. Appropriate for ages 9-12, it offers a glimpse into life in the American frontier with rich historical context and language reflective of its 1894 publication. Parents should note the older style of writing and minor OCR errors in this reprint edition.
Why we rated Coeur d'Alene 11LE
Coeur d'Alene is written at a Level 6 reading level across 256 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Coeur d'Alene works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Coeur d'Alene 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, Coeur d'Alene explores historical, adventure, 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 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 historical, adventure, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0404584306
- Pages
- 256
- Publisher
- AMS Press
- Published
- 1976
- Type
- Fiction