Matilda Bone
Karen Cushman
Matilda Bone
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Karen Cushman
The text is written at a 4th 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
Matilda Bone is no ordinary girl—she's a skilled bonesetter in a medieval village, healing broken bones and mending more than just bodies. Her hands hold the power to fix what others fear to touch, but her greatest challenge lies in balancing the mystical with the everyday. What happens when ancient beliefs and real-life struggles collide?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Matilda Bone follows a fourteen-year-old apprentice bonesetter in medieval England as she learns the art of healing while navigating the complexities of her community and beliefs. Suitable for ages 9-12, this historical fiction offers insight into medieval medicine and daily life, with themes of personal growth and resilience. The story contains mild references to injury and healing but is appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Matilda Bone 9LE
Matilda Bone is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 167 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Matilda Bone works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Matilda Bone as 9LE ("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, Matilda Bone explores historical, health & daily living, coming of age, and family — 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 historical, health & daily living, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9780613453431
- Pages
- 167
- Publisher
- Turtleback Books
- Published
- March 2002
- Type
- Fiction