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Red rock over the river

Patricia Beatty

Cover of Red rock over the river

Red rock over the river

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Patricia Beatty

Reading Level 6 11LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

Dorcas is no ordinary thirteen-year-old—she's caught in a daring prison escape right at Fort Yuma in 1881. When an outlaw breaks free across the river, her courage and quick thinking become the key to survival. What will she risk to help—and what will it cost her?

Themes

Quick Assessment

Set in 1881 Arizona, this historical fiction follows thirteen-year-old Dorcas as she becomes entangled in an outlaw's prison escape. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of bravery and justice within a historical setting. Parents should note the presence of mild peril and references to crime, handled appropriately for middle-grade readers.

Why we rated Red rock over the river 11LE

Red rock over the river is written at a Level 6 reading level across 253 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Red rock over the river works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Red rock over the river as 11LE ("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, Red rock over the river explores adventure, historical, outlaws, escape, 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 adventure, historical, outlaws.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
7
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

253 pages
ISBN
9780688200657
Pages
253
Publisher
William Morrow
Published
1973
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

OutlawsArizona Territorial PrisonEscapesWest

Places

ArizonaWest (U.S.)Yuma (Ariz.)