Emily Upham's Revenge
Avi
Emily Upham's Revenge
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Or How Deadwood Dick Saved the Banker's Niece
by Avi
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Emily clutches the heavy envelope as she steps into her uncle's grand house, the summer sunlight casting long shadows. Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps and whispered voices pulls her toward the locked study. What secret is hidden behind that door, and can Emily unravel it before it's too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in the summer of 1875, this historical fiction follows seven-year-old Emily Upham as she adjusts to life with her wealthy uncle and becomes entangled in a mysterious bank robbery. Suitable for middle school readers and above, the story explores themes of family, mystery, and courage, with mild suspense appropriate for ages 13-18.
Why we rated Emily Upham's Revenge 9LE
Emily Upham's Revenge is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 162 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Emily Upham's Revenge works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Emily Upham's Revenge 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, Emily Upham's Revenge explores mystery, family, and historical — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, family, historical.
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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780553150032
- Pages
- 162
- Publisher
- Bantam Books (Mm)
- Published
- August 1979
- Type
- Fiction