Morgan's Park (Gun of Joseph Smith)
Roy F. Chandler
Morgan's Park (Gun of Joseph Smith)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Roy F. Chandler
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.
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About This Book
Morgan isn't just any guide—he's a young hunter braving the wild Utah mountains in 1857. Facing untamed wilderness and the challenge of building a new home, his courage shapes the future of his people. Discover why his journey matters more than you think.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction novel follows Morgan, a young Mormon guide and hunter, as he navigates the challenges of pioneer life in 1857 Utah. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores themes of frontier survival, faith, and community-building. The book is appropriate for middle-grade readers with no intense content concerns.
Why we rated Morgan's Park (Gun of Joseph Smith) 12LP
Morgan's Park (Gun of Joseph Smith) is written at a Level 7 reading level across 300 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Morgan's Park (Gun of Joseph Smith) works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Morgan's Park (Gun of Joseph Smith) as 12LP ("Light — Physical") 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, Morgan's Park (Gun of Joseph Smith) explores frontier and pioneer life, adventure, historical, family, and faith — 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 frontier and pioneer life, adventure, historical.
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
12LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781885633101
- Pages
- 300
- Publisher
- Iron Brigade Armory, Limited
- Published
- December 1997
- Type
- Fiction