Robert de La Salle
Samuel Willard Crompton
Robert de La Salle
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Samuel Willard Crompton
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Robert presses through the thick forest, the river's roar growing louder with every step. Suddenly, he stops—what is that strange shape moving in the water ahead? The adventure to claim new lands for King Louis XIV is just beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction book introduces readers to Robert de La Salle, a 17th-century French explorer known for his expeditions across North America, including the Mississippi River Valley. Suitable for ages 9-12, it provides an engaging look at exploration and early colonial history, with language and content appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Robert de La Salle 9C
Robert de La Salle is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 110 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Robert de La Salle works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Robert de La Salle 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, Robert de La Salle explores exploration, biography, historical, adventure, 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 exploration, biography, historical.
- ✓ 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
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
- 9781604134193
- Pages
- 110
- Publisher
- Facts On File
- Published
- 2009
- Type
- Nonfiction