Daniel's ride
Perry, Michael
Daniel's ride
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Perry, Michael
The text is written at a 1st 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
Have you ever dreamed of riding in a shiny classic car? Daniel loves cruising in his big brother Hector's 1963 Chevrolet Impala convertible. But what happens when Hector promises to give Daniel the car if he graduates high school?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader story follows Daniel's excitement about his big brother's classic car and his determination to graduate high school to earn it. It gently explores family bonds, motivation, and the importance of education, suitable for children aged 5-8. The book includes themes of brotherhood and cultural appreciation of lowrider cars without any intense content.
Why we rated Daniel's ride 6C
Daniel's ride is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Daniel's ride works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate Daniel's ride as 6C ("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, Daniel's ride explores family, education, brotherhood, lowriders, 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 family, education, brotherhood.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — 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
- 0970177194
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Free Will Press
- Published
- 2001
- Type
- Fiction