Simon, the Daredevil Centipede
Phil Siegel
Simon, the Daredevil Centipede
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
He Learned how to Skate--and Much, Much More
by Phil Siegel
The text is written at a 1st grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: Simon the centipede has a hundred legs, but skating is still tricky! When he tries rollerskating for the first time, he crashes hard, but that's only the beginning of his daring adventure.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader tells the story of Simon, a centipede who learns to rollerskate with the help of his insect friends. It's a gentle tale about perseverance and friendship, appropriate for children ages 5 to 8, with simple language and positive social themes.
Why we rated Simon, the Daredevil Centipede 6C
Simon, the Daredevil Centipede is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 20 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Simon, the Daredevil Centipede works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate Simon, the Daredevil Centipede as 6C ("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, Simon, the Daredevil Centipede explores animals, friendship, perseverance, and sports & recreation — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about animals, friendship, perseverance.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0932991580
- Pages
- 20
- Publisher
- Different Books
- Published
- 1998
- Type
- Fiction