Coriander the Contrary Hen
Marsha Gray Carrington
Coriander the Contrary Hen
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Marsha Gray Carrington
The text is written at a 2nd 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 cluck-cluck of feathers ruffles the air as Coriander plants herself right in the middle of the busy road. Cars honk and engines rumble, but this stubborn hen won’t move an inch. What clever trick will it take to get Coriander on the move—and who will win in the end?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This charming early reader follows Coriander, a determined hen who causes a traffic jam by refusing to move from the road. The story gently explores themes of stubbornness and problem-solving through playful interactions and a touching family dynamic. Suitable for ages 5-8, it offers light social lessons on manners and cooperation without any intense content.
Why we rated Coriander the Contrary Hen 7C
Coriander the Contrary Hen is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Coriander the Contrary Hen works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Coriander the Contrary Hen as 7C ("Clear") 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, Coriander the Contrary Hen explores animals, manners & etiquette, social themes, and juvenile fiction — 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 animals, manners & etiquette, social themes.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780822587712
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Carolrhoda Books
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction