Dave Darrin's Third Year at Annapolis
H. Irving Hancock
Dave Darrin's Third Year at Annapolis
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by H. Irving Hancock
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
Dave Darrin races across the parade ground, heart pounding as the commanding officer's whistle blows sharply. He's caught in a whirlwind of drills and challenges at Annapolis, but something unexpected is about to shake his world. What will happen when duty and friendship collide?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Dave Darrin's intense third year at the U.S. Naval Academy, blending adventure with themes of discipline and friendship. Suitable for ages 9-12, it portrays military school life with historical context but contains no graphic content. Parents should note the story includes mild peril and explores emotional growth in a structured environment.
Why we rated Dave Darrin's Third Year at Annapolis 9LE
Dave Darrin's Third Year at Annapolis is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 184 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Dave Darrin's Third Year at Annapolis works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Dave Darrin's Third Year at Annapolis as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Dave Darrin's Third Year at Annapolis explores adventure, coming of age, friendship, 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 adventure, coming of age, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9781406519778
- Pages
- 184
- Publisher
- Dodo Press
- Published
- March 8, 2007
- Type
- Fiction