Raising Dragons
Bryan Davis
Raising Dragons
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Dragons in Our Midst #1
by Bryan Davis
The text is written at a 7th 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
Feel the roar of dragons echo through the crisp morning air as Billy Bannister discovers a secret that will change his life forever. The warm sun shines on scales that shimmer like silver, while shadows of knights and magic swirl around him. Courage and friendship will be tested in a world where adventure waits just beyond the horizon.
Quick Assessment
Raising Dragons is a middle-grade fantasy novel featuring a blend of modern-day adventure and classic mythical elements like dragons and knights. Suitable for ages 9-12, it encourages themes of inner strength and perseverance while introducing readers to a richly imagined world. The story contains mild fantasy peril but remains appropriate for its target audience.
Why we rated Raising Dragons 12LE
Raising Dragons is written at a Level 7 reading level across 399 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Raising Dragons works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Raising Dragons as 12LE ("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, Raising Dragons explores fantasy world-building, adventure, friendship, coming of age, and family — 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 fantasy world-building, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780899571706
- Pages
- 399
- Publisher
- Dragons in Our Midst
- Published
- 2004
- Type
- Fiction