David
Johnny Worthen
David
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Johnny Worthen
The text is written at a 7th 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
There's a secret that Eleanor hides deep inside—a secret that makes her different from everyone in Jamesford. As a shapeshifter, she can change in ways others can't imagine, but that power comes with tough choices. Friendship, love, and survival all hang in the balance, but that's only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores themes of identity and supernatural abilities through the story of Eleanor, a shapeshifter in a small Wyoming town. Suitable for ages 9-12, it addresses complex decisions involving friendship, love, and personal safety within a mysterious, occult context. Parents should note the presence of supernatural elements and emotional challenges that are thoughtfully presented.
Why we rated David 12ME
David is written at a Level 7 reading level across 340 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, David works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate David as 12ME ("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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, David explores fantasy world-building, friendship, coming of age, and mystery — 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 fantasy world-building, friendship, coming of age.
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
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" 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
- 9781631630620
- Pages
- 340
- Publisher
- Jolly Fish Press
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction