Monkeyface Chronicles
Richard Scarsbrook
Monkeyface Chronicles
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Richard Scarsbrook
The text is written at a 5th 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
Philip faces the world with a face unlike any other, drawing unwanted attention and cruelty from those around him. As he embarks on a motorcycle trip to Toronto fueled by anger and the desire for revenge, unexpected events challenge him to discover courage and strength within himself. This journey reveals a hero where he least expected to find one.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include bullying, emotional: identity & self-discovery, emotional: fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Monkeyface Chronicles 10ME
Monkeyface Chronicles is written at a Level 5-6 reading level (approximately 83,132 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.8 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Monkeyface Chronicles works for readers up to grade 7.8.
Read aloud, Monkeyface Chronicles runs about 9.2 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Monkeyface Chronicles as 10ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Bullying, Emotional: Identity & Self-Discovery, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Monkeyface Chronicles explores coming of age, family, adventure, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about coming of age, family, adventure.
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
10ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
6/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781897235768
- Publisher
- Thistledown Press
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 83,132
- Read-Aloud
- ~9h 14m