Got a penny?
David R. Collins
Got a penny?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by David R. Collins
The text is written at a 5th 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
Discover the inspiring journey of Dorothy Day, a passionate advocate who dedicated her life to helping those in need and fighting for social justice. From humble beginnings to founding the Catholic Worker Movement, her story shows the power of compassion and determination. Perfect for young readers eager to learn about a remarkable woman who made a difference.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include poverty & hardship, social justice. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Got a penny? 10LS
Got a penny? is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 59 pages (approximately 11,773 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Got a penny? works for readers up to grade 7.2.
Read aloud, Got a penny? runs about 1.3 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Got a penny? as 10LS ("Light — Social") 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: Poverty & Hardship, Social Justice.
Thematically, Got a penny? explores historical, social justice, biography, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, social justice, biography.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10LS — Light — SocialLight 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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0819830828
- Pages
- 59
- Publisher
- Pauline Books & Media
- Published
- 1996
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 11,773
- Read-Aloud
- ~1h 18m
- Text Density
- Standard