Putting up with Sherwood
Ellen Matthews
Putting up with Sherwood
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ellen Matthews
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
The sharp squeak of sneakers echoes down the school hall as Diane watches her best friend walk away to a new private school. The smell of chalk dust and old books fills the classroom where she’s suddenly stuck tutoring the class dummy. Now, with everything changing, Diane wonders if she can hold onto her friendships and find her own place.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores the challenges of friendship and change as Diane copes with her best friend transferring to a private school and the unexpected responsibility of tutoring a struggling classmate. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses themes of social adjustment and self-discovery in a school setting. Parents should know the story includes mild emotional ups and downs typical of pre-teen experiences.
Why we rated Putting up with Sherwood 9LE
Putting up with Sherwood is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 137 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Putting up with Sherwood works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Putting up with Sherwood 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Loneliness, Friendship, School Challenges.
Thematically, Putting up with Sherwood explores friendship, family, school, and coming of age — 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, family, school.
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.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 0664326722
- Pages
- 137
- Publisher
- Westminster John Knox Press
- Published
- 1980
- Type
- Fiction