Remember the red-shouldered hawk
Doris Buchanan Smith
Remember the red-shouldered hawk
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Doris Buchanan Smith
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What if the person you love most started to forget who you are? Imagine your grandma moving in with your family because her mind is changing in ways you don’t understand. How will you hold on to her stories and the love that never fades?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the impact of Alzheimer's disease through the eyes of a twelve-year-old boy whose grandmother comes to live with his family. It sensitively portrays themes of aging, memory loss, and family bonds, offering a heartfelt look at acceptance and growth. Suitable for ages 9-12, it provides a gentle introduction to complex emotional topics without graphic content.
Why we rated Remember the red-shouldered hawk 9ME
Remember the red-shouldered hawk is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 160 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Remember the red-shouldered hawk works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Remember the red-shouldered hawk as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Remember the red-shouldered hawk explores family, coming of age, illness & injury, and emotional growth — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, coming of age, illness & injury.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0399224432
- Pages
- 160
- Publisher
- G.P. Putnam's Sons
- Published
- 1994
- Type
- Fiction