Promises! (David Mortimore Baxter)
Karen Tayleur
Promises! (David Mortimore Baxter)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Karen Tayleur
Illustrated by Brann Garvey
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
David Mortimore Baxter races through the school hallways, shouting promises to everyone he meets. But as his list of promises grows longer and harder to keep, will he be able to handle the chaos he's created?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This humorous early reader follows David Mortimore Baxter as he runs for class office and learns about responsibility and honesty. Suitable for ages 5-8, the story gently explores themes of school, friendship, and the challenges of making and keeping promises without any intense content.
Why we rated Promises! (David Mortimore Baxter) 8C
Promises! (David Mortimore Baxter) is written at a Level 3 reading level across 87 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Promises! (David Mortimore Baxter) works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Promises! (David Mortimore Baxter) as 8C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Promises! (David Mortimore Baxter) explores humor, school & education, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about humor, school & education, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781598892086
- Pages
- 87
- Publisher
- Capstone Classroom
- Published
- July 30, 2006
- Type
- Fiction