Done and dared in old France
Deborah Alcock
Done and dared in old France
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Deborah Alcock
The text is written at a 6th 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
This is the story of a boy who dared to live on the edge in old France, smuggling salt with outlaws and risking everything. His bravery leads him to a famous pastor who changes his life forever. What will happen when he learns his family escaped to England?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in seventeenth-century France, this historical fiction follows a young Huguenot boy who joins a band of outlaws and becomes involved in smuggling salt. The story explores themes of courage, family separation, and religious persecution under Louis XIV. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it provides insight into a turbulent period of French history with some historical violence and hardship portrayed.
Why we rated Done and dared in old France 11ME
Done and dared in old France is written at a Level 6 reading level across 286 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Done and dared in old France works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Done and dared in old France as 11ME ("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, social complexity — 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, Done and dared in old France explores historical, adventure, family, and religious themes — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, adventure, family.
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
11ME — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 1894666038
- Pages
- 286
- Publisher
- Neerlandia, Alta. : Inheritance Publications
- Published
- 2002
- Type
- Fiction