Glenda's long swim
Richard A. Boning
Glenda's long swim
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Richard A. Boning
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), 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
Glenda kicks through the waves, her arms slicing the water as the shore slips farther away. Suddenly, something changes—calm turns to challenge, and every stroke is a fight to stay afloat. Will Glenda find the strength to keep swimming?
Quick Assessment
This fictional story follows Glenda, a young woman whose relaxing swim off the Florida coast unexpectedly becomes a fight for survival. Suitable for early readers aged 5-8, it explores themes of perseverance and courage without intense or frightening content. The book offers an engaging narrative that encourages resilience in the face of unexpected challenges.
Why we rated Glenda's long swim 7LE
Glenda's long swim is written at a Level 2 reading level across 47 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Glenda's long swim works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Glenda's long swim as 7LE ("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, Glenda's long swim explores survival, adventure, perseverance, and swimming — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about survival, adventure, perseverance.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Swimming
Bernie Blackall
Swimming
Bernie Blackall
Swimming
Lisa Miles
Swimming
Lisa Miles
Survival in the Sea
Linda Lingemann
Survival in the Sea
Linda Lingemann
Swim with the Sharks (I Wish I Could)
Gordy Slack
Swim with the Sharks (I Wish I Could)
Gordy Slack
Swimming (After-School Fun)
JoAnn Early Macken
Swimming (After-School Fun)
JoAnn Early Macken
Sink or swim
Thalia Kalkipsakis
Sink or swim
Thalia Kalkipsakis
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0879661127
- Pages
- 47
- Publisher
- Barnell Loft
- Published
- 1978
- Type
- Nonfiction