Hale-Mano
David Guard
Hale-Mano
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Legend of Hawai'i
by David Guard
Illustrated by Caridad Sumile
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if you left everything behind to find your true love? Imagine a brave young man named Hale-mano who sets off on a daring adventure to find Princess Kama. But will his journey bring him happiness or unexpected challenges?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Hale-Mano is a retelling of an American fairy tale about a young man who leaves his daily life to seek his true love, Princess Kama. Suitable for early readers ages 5-8, this story introduces themes of love and adventure through simple language and folklore elements. Parents should know it contains gentle fantasy elements and focuses on themes of determination and romance without any intense content.
Why we rated Hale-Mano 8C
Hale-Mano is written at a Level 3 reading level across 96 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hale-Mano works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Hale-Mano as 8C ("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, Hale-Mano explores fairy tales & folklore, adventure, romance, and coming of age — 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 fairy tales & folklore, adventure, romance.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781883672041
- Pages
- 96
- Publisher
- Tricycle Press
- Published
- November 1993
- Type
- Fiction