Quimbaya
Dianne C. Stewart
Quimbaya
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dianne C. Stewart
Quimbaya
The text is written at a 6th 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
Cal and his friends discover a magical gold medallion that whisks them through different moments in time. Their adventure takes a dangerous turn when a pirate sneaks into the present, forcing the group to work together to return him to his own era. Along the way, they learn about courage and friendship.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 6-7 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fantasy violence. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Quimbaya 11LP
Quimbaya is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 200 pages (approximately 56,202 words). Strong independent readers around grade 7.3 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Quimbaya works for readers up to grade 8.3.
Read aloud, Quimbaya runs about 6.3 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Quimbaya as 11LP ("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, Fantasy Violence.
Thematically, Quimbaya explores adventure, friendship, fantasy world-building, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, fantasy world-building.
Maybe not for
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LP — 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
4/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780966735987
- Pages
- 200
- Publisher
- BeanPole Books
- Published
- Sep 01, 2008
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 56,202
- Read-Aloud
- ~6h 15m
- Text Density
- Dense