Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
EllRay Jakes is not a chicken
Sally Warner
EllRay Jakes is not a chicken
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sally Warner
The text is written at a 5th 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
What would you do if a bully dared you to stand up but staying out of trouble was the only way to win a big prize? EllRay faces this tough test when Jared, the class bully, pushes him around. Can EllRay prove he’s not a chicken without breaking the rules?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows eight-year-old EllRay as he tries to stay out of trouble for a week to earn a family trip to Disneyland. The story explores themes of bullying, behavior, and family life, with a relatable focus on school challenges and standing up for oneself. Appropriate for ages 9-12, it offers a positive message about courage and self-control.
Why we rated EllRay Jakes is not a chicken 10LE
EllRay Jakes is not a chicken is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 840L across 108 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, EllRay Jakes is not a chicken works for readers up to grade 7.5.
We rate EllRay Jakes is not a chicken as 10LE ("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, EllRay Jakes is not a chicken explores behavior, schools, bullies, african americans, 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 behavior, schools, bullies.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10LE — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780670062430
- Pages
- 108
- Publisher
- Viking Childrens Books
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 840L