Departure time
Truus Matti
Departure time
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Truus Matti
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
There’s a secret hidden between a clever fox and a curious rat, and a girl whose father is always on the move. Their stories seem separate, but what if they’re connected in ways no one sees? That’s only the beginning of an adventure full of surprises.
Quick Assessment
Departure Time is a middle-grade novel that intertwines two stories: one about a girl dealing with her constantly traveling father, and another featuring a fox and a rat. It explores themes of family relationships and self-discovery through accessible language suitable for ages 9 to 12. The book contains gentle fantasy elements and emotional moments without intense conflict.
Why we rated Departure time 11LE
Departure time is written at a Level 6 reading level across 214 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Departure time works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Departure time as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Departure time explores fathers and daughters, juvenile fiction, adventure, animals, and family — 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 fathers and daughters, juvenile fiction, 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
11LE — Light — EmotionalNo 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Traveler's Treasures
Elaina Doeden
Traveler's Treasures
Elaina Doeden
Departure
Neal Asher
Departure
Neal Asher
Mysterious Abductions
tracey hecht
Mysterious Abductions
tracey hecht
Train Time
Adria F. Klein
Train Time
Adria F. Klein
Daddy's not-so-little girl
Lucinda Thomas
Daddy's not-so-little girl
Lucinda Thomas
The far journey
Lucille Travis
The far journey
Lucille Travis
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781608980871
- Pages
- 214
- Publisher
- Namelos
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction