Simon
Rosemary Sutcliff
Simon
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Rosemary Sutcliff
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The sharp crack of muskets echoes through the misty fields as Simon watches the smoke curl into the gray sky. The cold dampness of the earth seeps into his boots, and the taste of fear lingers on his tongue. Everything changes when Simon and his best friend Amias find themselves on opposite sides of a war that tears their world apart.
Quick Assessment
Simon is a historical fiction novel set during the English Civil War, exploring themes of friendship and loyalty against the backdrop of political conflict from 1642 to 1660. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it sensitively portrays the challenges children faced during turbulent times without graphic violence. Parents should note the story involves themes of war and division but handles them in an age-appropriate manner.
Why we rated Simon 9ME
Simon is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 128 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Simon works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Simon as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. 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 mild intensity score.
Thematically, Simon explores friendship, historical, family, and coming of age — 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 friendship, historical, family.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9781782950936
- Pages
- 128
- Publisher
- Red Fox
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Nonfiction