Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Early autumn
Robert B. Parker
Early autumn
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Robert B. Parker
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
After a painful divorce, a young boy is caught in a dangerous tug-of-war between his parents, with hired thugs and risky kidnappings. A determined protector steps in to teach the boy survival skills in the wild Maine woods, facing serious threats to keep him safe. Together, they navigate a tense battle where courage and cleverness are their best weapons.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 3-4 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include physical danger, mild peril. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Early autumn 8MP
Early autumn is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 570L across 221 pages (approximately 50,229 words). Strong independent readers around grade 4.7 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Early autumn works for readers up to grade 5.7.
Read aloud, Early autumn runs about 5.6 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Early autumn as 8MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Physical Danger, Mild Peril.
Thematically, Early autumn explores family, survival, and adventure — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, survival, adventure.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the Sunny Randall series.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Sunny Randall Series
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0440122147
- Pages
- 221
- Publisher
- Berkley Books
- Published
- 1981
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 50,229
- Lexile
- 570L
- Read-Aloud
- ~5h 35m
- Text Density
- Standard