Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis

H. Irving Hancock

Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by H. Irving Hancock

Reading Level 4-5 9LP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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 mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

Here's a secret: Dave Darrin isn’t just any cadet at Annapolis—he’s about to face challenges that will test his courage and friendship like never before. Trouble is brewing beneath the surface, but that’s only the beginning.

Themes

Friendship Coming of Age Adventure Historical

Quick Assessment

This historical fiction follows Dave Darrin during his second year at the United States Naval Academy, exploring themes of friendship, perseverance, and personal growth. Suitable for children ages 9 to 12, the story contains mild conflict typical of middle-grade fiction without any intense content. It offers a glimpse into early 20th-century military school life with accessible language for grade 4.5 readers.

Why we rated Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis 9LP

Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 152 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.

Thematically, Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis explores friendship, coming of age, adventure, 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 friendship, coming of age, adventure.

Maybe not for

! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LP — Light — Physical

Emotional

Clear

Physical

Light ←

Social

Clear

Thematic

Clear

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Content Flags

Mild Peril

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level

Emotional Weight

Theme Richness

World Scope

Data Confidence

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Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis

H. Hancock