Forbidden forest
Michael Cadnum
Forbidden forest
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Story of Little John and Robin Hood
by Michael Cadnum
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.
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About This Book
Follow the journey of Little John as he leaves his peaceful life to become a loyal companion of Robin Hood. Together, they face daring challenges, including defending a brave woman falsely blamed for a crime she didn't commit. Adventure and courage come alive in the heart of the Middle Ages.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 6-7 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Forbidden forest 11LP
Forbidden forest is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 218 pages (approximately 50,492 words). Strong independent readers around grade 7.8 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Forbidden forest works for readers up to grade 8.8.
Read aloud, Forbidden forest runs about 5.6 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Forbidden forest as 11LP ("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, Forbidden forest explores adventure, friendship, historical, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, historical.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
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Young Robin Hood
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Jean Little
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Jean Little
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Patricia Leitch
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Patricia Leitch
Robin Hood
Evelyn Charles Vivian
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Robin hood and little john
Barbara Cohen
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0439317746
- Pages
- 218
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- 2002
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 50,492
- Read-Aloud
- ~5h 37m
- Text Density
- Standard