What reading level is Farewell, Dawn?

Farewell, Dawn by Ann M. Martin is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Farewell, Dawn appropriate for?

Farewell, Dawn is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LE (Light — Emotional). Content flags: Divorce & Family Change, Friendship, Loneliness.

What genre is Farewell, Dawn?

Farewell, Dawn is fiction — Juvenile Fiction. Part of the Baby-Sitters Club series.

Does Farewell, Dawn have any content warnings?

Farewell, Dawn has a HootRating of 9LE (Light — Emotional). Content flags include: Divorce & Family Change, Friendship, Loneliness. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Farewell, Dawn?

Farewell, Dawn by Ann M. Martin is 134 pages (approximately 24,526 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Farewell, Dawn

Ann M. Martin

Farewell, Dawn

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Ann M. Martin

Baby-Sitters Club

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

Dawn has made up her mind to return to California for good, but telling her friends isn't easy. As they find out from others, feelings get tangled and friendships are put to the test. Together, they learn about change, honesty, and the strength of true friendship.

Themes

Friendship FamilySocial IssuesComing of Age

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include divorce & family change, friendship, loneliness. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Farewell, Dawn 9LE

Farewell, Dawn is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 134 pages (approximately 24,526 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Farewell, Dawn works for readers up to grade 6.4.

Read aloud, Farewell, Dawn runs about 2.7 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Farewell, Dawn 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Divorce & Family Change, Friendship, Loneliness.

Thematically, Farewell, Dawn explores friendship, family, social issues, 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.
✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, family, social issues.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 35 more books in the Baby-Sitters Club series.