Cut from the Same Cloth
Robert D. San Souci
Cut from the Same Cloth
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
American Women of Myth, Legend, and Tall Tale
by Robert D. San Souci
Illustrated by Brian Pinkney
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Did you know there are legendary women in American folklore who are just as mighty and clever as the famous Paul Bunyan or Davy Crockett? Meet Bess Call, who can take on any challenger, and Molly Cottontail, who outsmarts every creature in the forest—but that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This award-winning collection introduces middle-grade readers to fifteen captivating tall tales about legendary American women, blending humor and adventure. Suitable for ages 9-12, it enriches understanding of folklore by highlighting lesser-known female figures alongside familiar folk heroes. The stories are entertaining and accessible, with no content concerns for this age group.
Why we rated Cut from the Same Cloth 9C
Cut from the Same Cloth is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 160 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Cut from the Same Cloth works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Cut from the Same Cloth as 9C ("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, Cut from the Same Cloth explores folklore, tall tales, adventure, multicultural, and historical — 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 folklore, tall tales, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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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Based on content and theme analysis
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780698118119
- Pages
- 160
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- February 1, 2000
- Type
- Fiction