Making arrangements
Robert Harlow
Making arrangements
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Robert Harlow
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The phone rings in the middle of the night, and everything changes in an instant. Someone’s coming, and plans must be made fast. But will the arrangements be enough to keep everyone safe?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Making Arrangements by Robert Harlow is a middle-grade fiction novel suited for readers aged 9-12, with a reading level around grade 7. The story involves suspenseful moments and themes of quick decision-making under pressure. Parents should be aware that the book contains mild tension and explores emotional challenges appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated Making arrangements 12LE
Making arrangements is written at a Level 7 reading level across 319 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Making arrangements works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Making arrangements as 12LE ("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, Making arrangements explores family, friendship, adventure, and suspense — 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 family, friendship, adventure.
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
12LE — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Making friends
Emily Chase
Making friends
Emily Chase
When the Phone Rang
Harry Mazer
When the Phone Rang
Harry Mazer
When the phone rang
Harry Mazer
When the phone rang
Harry Mazer
Something to make us happy
Crawford, Linda
Something to make us happy
Crawford, Linda
Making Contact
Kathleen Marden
Making Contact
Kathleen Marden
Making the grade
Lisa Rojany-Buccieri
Making the grade
Lisa Rojany-Buccieri
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0771040040
- Pages
- 319
- Publisher
- McClelland and Stewart
- Published
- 1978
- Type
- Fiction