Hitch
Jeanette Ingold
Hitch
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jeanette Ingold
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Moss Trawnley isn’t just any kid—he’s determined to change his family’s future during the tough times of the Great Depression. By joining a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps, he takes charge and builds a whole new camp in Montana. What happens next shows how one person’s courage can lift an entire community.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction novel follows a young boy, Moss Trawnley, as he joins the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression to support his family and avoid the pitfalls that affected his father. Set in Montana, the story explores themes of resilience, responsibility, and hope for readers ages 9-12. The book contains no intense content and provides a positive portrayal of personal growth during difficult times.
Why we rated Hitch 11LE
Hitch is written at a Level 6 reading level across 288 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hitch works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Hitch as 11LE ("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, Hitch explores history, coming of age, family, resilience, and adventure — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about history, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780152056193
- Pages
- 288
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Published
- 2006
- Type
- Fiction