Gadiantons and the silver sword
Chris Heimerdinger
Gadiantons and the silver sword
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Chris Heimerdinger
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
Jim Hawkins races through a shadowy forest, heart pounding as strange figures close in around him. Suddenly, ancient visitors from a world long gone appear, each with secrets that could change everything. But can Jim unlock the memories they stir before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy follows Jim Hawkins, a boy haunted by mysterious, fragmented memories of ancient times. When enigmatic visitors arrive, he must unravel his past and face dangers linked to the Book of Mormon. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story introduces religious themes and mild peril in an engaging historical fantasy context.
Why we rated Gadiantons and the silver sword 11LE
Gadiantons and the silver sword is written at a Level 6 reading level across 268 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Gadiantons and the silver sword works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Gadiantons and the silver sword 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, Gadiantons and the silver sword explores book of mormon, adventure, fantasy world-building, and historical — 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 book of mormon, adventure, fantasy world-building.
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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 1555033156
- Pages
- 268
- Publisher
- Covenant Communications
- Published
- 1991
- Type
- Fiction