Growing up in Maine
Charles E. Shain
Growing up in Maine
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Recollections of Childhood from the 1780s to the 1920s
by Charles E. Shain
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered what it's like to grow up in a place where the sea meets the forest? Imagine exploring the rocky shores and quiet villages of Maine, where every day brings a new adventure and a story waiting to be told. What secrets will you uncover in this unique corner of the world?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book explores the life and customs of children growing up in Maine, blending biography with social history in an engaging narrative. Suitable for ages 9 to 12, it offers readers insight into Maine's culture and environment through relatable characters and stories. Parents should note that the book focuses on regional life and personal growth without intense conflict or mature themes.
Why we rated Growing up in Maine 11C
Growing up in Maine is written at a Level 6 reading level across 264 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Growing up in Maine works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Growing up in Maine as 11C ("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, Growing up in Maine explores biography, children, maine, social life and customs, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about biography, children, maine.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11C — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780892723126
- Pages
- 264
- Publisher
- Down East Books
- Published
- 1991
- Type
- Nonfiction