Promises to keep
Susan Wojciechowski
Promises to keep
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Susan Wojciechowski
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
Joe Stonehouse isn’t just a new Crisis Counselor—he’s a Secret Service Agent with a hidden mission. When the high-school principal starts to distrust him, sparks fly in more ways than one. Can secrets and feelings mix without causing an explosion?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores themes of trust, friendship, and interpersonal relationships within a school setting. While it introduces a Secret Service element, the story focuses on character dynamics and emotional development suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note mild tension related to secret identities and attraction but no graphic content.
Why we rated Promises to keep 9LE
Promises to keep is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 141 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Promises to keep works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Promises to keep 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, Promises to keep explores friendship, interpersonal relations, and adventure — 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 friendship, interpersonal relations, adventure.
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
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
- 9780967379418
- Pages
- 141
- Publisher
- Small Miracles Press
- Published
- 1999
- Type
- Fiction