Sam Chard
D. Bannister
Sam Chard
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by D. Bannister
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
Sam races through the shadowy streets, heart pounding as footsteps echo behind him. He’s caught in a chase that could change everything—if only he can outsmart his pursuer. But just when he thinks he’s safe, a sudden twist leaves him frozen in place.
Quick Assessment
Sam Chard is a middle-grade fiction novel suitable for readers aged 9-12, featuring an engaging story filled with suspense and adventure. The narrative involves moments of mild peril that are appropriate for this age group and encourages critical thinking and problem-solving. Parents should note that the book contains some tense scenes but no graphic content.
Why we rated Sam Chard 11LE
Sam Chard is written at a Level 6 reading level across 226 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sam Chard works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Sam Chard 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, Sam Chard explores adventure, friendship, and mystery — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
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
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 071000219X
- Pages
- 226
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Published
- 1979
- Type
- Fiction