Finding Danny
Linzi Alex Glass
Finding Danny
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Linzi Alex Glass
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Danny, Bree's loyal Border Collie, has vanished, and it’s not just about finding a lost dog—it’s about discovering a whole new world. When Bree steps into the busy shelter on Vox Street, she realizes saving Danny might mean saving all the dogs there. What happens when a search for one turns into a mission for many?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Finding Danny follows twelve-year-old Bree as she copes with the loss of her dog and discovers the challenges faced by shelter animals. Written for middle-grade readers, the story sensitively explores themes of loss, responsibility, and empathy through Bree’s journey with an animal rescuer. The book is suitable for ages 9-12 and offers a positive message about community and caring for animals.
Why we rated Finding Danny 11LE
Finding Danny is written at a Level 6 reading level across 200 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Finding Danny works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Finding Danny as 11LE ("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, Finding Danny explores animals, friendship, coming of age, family, and social justice — 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 animals, friendship, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Lost and Found
Adrienne Mason
Lost and Found
Adrienne Mason
Lost and found
Jim LaMarche
Lost and found
Jim LaMarche
A dog for Danny.
Inez Hogan
A dog for Danny.
Inez Hogan
Lost and found
Jenny Dale
Lost and found
Jenny Dale
Being Danny's dog
Jean Little
Being Danny's dog
Jean Little
Look at Danny
Mia Coulton
Look at Danny
Mia Coulton
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545331449
- Pages
- 200
- Publisher
- Harper Collins
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction