Salammbo
Gustave Flaubert
Salammbo
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Gustave Flaubert
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
Did you know there was once a city so powerful it was feared by everyone around it? Salammbo holds the secret to Carthage’s ancient mysteries and hidden treasures, but that's only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
Salammbo is a historical fiction novel set in the ancient city of Carthage, exploring its culture, conflicts, and legends. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it offers an introduction to a fascinating extinct civilization with some complex vocabulary and themes. Parents should note it contains historical battles and cultural elements that may prompt interesting discussions.
Why we rated Salammbo 11LE
Salammbo is written at a Level 6 reading level across 282 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Salammbo works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Salammbo 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, Salammbo explores historical, adventure, and fantasy world-building — 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 historical, adventure, fantasy world-building.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0140443282
- Pages
- 282
- Publisher
- Penguin UK
- Published
- 1977
- Type
- Fiction