Eclipse
Andrea Cheng
Eclipse
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Andrea Cheng
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
Peti is braver than you think — even when his own cousin teases him and his family faces big, scary problems far away. Living in 1952 Cincinnati, he learns what it means to stand strong when the world feels uncertain. This story shows how courage in small hearts can change everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in 1952 Cincinnati, this historical fiction follows eight-year-old Peti as he navigates family tensions and fears for relatives trapped behind the Iron Curtain. Suitable for ages 9-12, it gently explores themes of family, bullying, and historical challenges without graphic content. Parents can expect a thoughtful portrait of resilience and empathy during a complex time.
Why we rated Eclipse 9LE
Eclipse is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 129 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Eclipse works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Eclipse 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, Eclipse explores family, historical, bullying, and coming of age — 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 family, historical, bullying.
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
1/10A 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
- 9781932425215
- Pages
- 129
- Publisher
- Boyds Mills Press
- Published
- October 2006
- Type
- Fiction