Gone fishing
Steven Kroll
Gone fishing
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Steven Kroll
The text is written at a 1st grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Here’s a secret: sometimes the best adventures happen when it’s just you and your dad, quiet by the water with a fishing pole. They think it’s just a simple fishing trip, but that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This gentle story follows a young boy and his father on a quiet fishing trip at their summer house, ideal for early readers ages 5-8. It highlights themes of family bonding and the joys of spending time outdoors, with simple language suited to beginning readers.
Why we rated Gone fishing 6C
Gone fishing is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 47 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Gone fishing works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate Gone fishing as 6C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Gone fishing explores fathers and sons, family, summer, fishing, and juvenile fiction — 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 fathers and sons, family, summer.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
Fishing
Adam G. Klein
Fishing
Adam G. Klein
Gone fishing.
Mary Stolz
Gone fishing.
Mary Stolz
Gone fishing
Tamera Will Wissinger
Gone fishing
Tamera Will Wissinger
Going Fishing
Robyn Osborne
Going Fishing
Robyn Osborne
Fishing
Henry Gilbey
Fishing
Henry Gilbey
Let's Go Fishing
Kathy Smith
Let's Go Fishing
Kathy Smith
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780517575895
- Pages
- 47
- Publisher
- Knopf Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 1990
- Type
- Fiction