Living in a Refugee Camp
David Dalton
Living in a Refugee Camp
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Carbino's Story
by David Dalton
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The dry wind carries the dusty scent of the camp as Carbino steps outside his tent. Around him, the chatter of families and the distant hum of aid trucks fill the air, painting a picture of life caught between hope and hardship. Every day is a challenge, but Carbino’s spirit holds strong against the weight of uncertainty.
Quick Assessment
This book explores the experiences of Carbino, a young Sudanese refugee living in a war-affected camp. Suitable for readers aged 13 to 18, it offers an accessible and empathetic look into the realities of displacement and survival. Parents should note the depiction of conflict and its impact on family life, presented in a sensitive and age-appropriate manner.
Why we rated Living in a Refugee Camp 7ME
Living in a Refugee Camp is written at a Level 2 reading level across 48 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Living in a Refugee Camp works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Living in a Refugee Camp as 7ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Living in a Refugee Camp explores people & places - africa, family, social science - sociology, and survival — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about people & places - africa, family, social science - sociology.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780836859607
- Pages
- 48
- Publisher
- Gareth Stevens
- Published
- July 2005
- Type
- Nonfiction