Country place
Ann Lane Petry
Country place
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ann Lane Petry
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: a peaceful summer in a small Connecticut town hides a storm much bigger than the weather. A soldier comes home, but things have changed in ways he never expected. And that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set during the World War II era, this middle-grade novel explores the impact of war on a family in a Connecticut town. It addresses complex themes like the challenges veterans face when returning home, family struggles including infidelity, and African American experiences in New England. Suitable for ages 9-12, parents should note the presence of mature themes like adultery and the emotional effects of war.
Why we rated Country place 11ME
Country place is written at a Level 6 reading level across 266 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Country place works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Country place as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Adultery, War Impact.
Thematically, Country place explores world war ii, veterans, african american families, family, and city and town life — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about world war ii, veterans, african american families.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0911860045
- Pages
- 266
- Publisher
- Chatham Bookseller
- Published
- 1971
- Type
- Fiction