Richard Peck
Kimberly Campbell
Richard Peck
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Spellbinding Storyteller
by Kimberly Campbell
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What makes a story unforgettable? Imagine growing up in a world where every page you write can touch hearts and win awards. Discover how Richard Peck became a master storyteller, but what challenges did he face along the way?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This biography explores the life and achievements of Richard Peck, the Newbery Award-winning author known for 'A Year Down Yonder.' Suitable for middle to high school readers, it offers insight into his literary career and the historical context of his work. The book is appropriate for ages 13-18 and contains no content concerns.
Why we rated Richard Peck 9C
Richard Peck is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Richard Peck works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Richard Peck as 9C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Richard Peck explores biography & autobiography, literary, coming of age, and historical — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about biography & autobiography, literary, coming of age.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
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
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9780766027237
- Pages
- 112
- Publisher
- Enslow Publishers, Inc.
- Published
- June 2007
- Type
- Nonfiction