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Fish King's Power of Truth (Jataka Tales (Paperback))

Larna Mipham

Cover of Fish King's Power of Truth (Jataka Tales (Paperback))

Fish King's Power of Truth (Jataka Tales (Paperback))

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Larna Mipham

Illustrated by Julia Witwer

Reading Level 4-5 9LP 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

Here’s a secret: the Fish King has a special power that can change everything beneath the water. When his lake begins to dry up, he must use the Power of Truth to bring rain and save his friends—but that’s only the beginning.

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fiction book tells the story of the Fish King, who prays for rain to save his lake from drying up. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores themes of friendship, responsibility, and courage in a gentle, accessible way. Parents can expect a story with mild peril and positive messages about truth and leadership.

Why we rated Fish King's Power of Truth (Jataka Tales (Paperback)) 9LP

Fish King's Power of Truth (Jataka Tales (Paperback)) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Fish King's Power of Truth (Jataka Tales (Paperback)) works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Fish King's Power of Truth (Jataka Tales (Paperback)) as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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: Mild Peril.

Thematically, Fish King's Power of Truth (Jataka Tales (Paperback)) explores friendship, adventure, fantasy world-building, 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 friendship, adventure, fantasy world-building.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LP — Light — Physical
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Clear

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Content Flags

Mild Peril
Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

2/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

ISBN
9780613774505
Publisher
Turtleback
Published
January 1990
Type
Fiction