Nine Man Tree
Robert Newton Peck
Nine Man Tree
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Robert Newton Peck
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Yoolee grips the worn wooden spear, heart pounding as shadows flicker between the swaying cypress trees. The swamp’s eerie silence is shattered by a chilling growl nearby. Suddenly, something moves — but what is it, and will Yoolee be ready?
Quick Assessment
Set during the Great Depression in Florida, this middle-grade novel follows young Yoolee as he bravely confronts a mysterious threat lurking in the swamps to protect his family. The book explores themes of courage and survival in a historical rural setting, suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. Parents should note the story includes moments of suspense and mild peril but no graphic content.
Why we rated Nine Man Tree 9ME
Nine Man Tree is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 180 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Nine Man Tree works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Nine Man Tree as 9ME ("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, physical peril — 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, Nine Man Tree explores adventure, family, survival, and historical — 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 adventure, family, survival.
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
9ME — 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
2/10A 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
- 9780375802508
- Pages
- 180
- Publisher
- Random House Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2000
- Type
- Fiction