Simple Art of Flying
Cory Leonardo
Simple Art of Flying
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Cory Leonardo
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Alastair the African grey parrot isn’t just any bird—he’s a feathered poet with a big dream to fly away to freedom. But when life pulls him in two different directions, he learns that true courage might mean staying grounded where love waits. What would you do if your biggest adventure was about letting go?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Alastair, an African grey parrot, as he navigates life between two homes and the meaning of family. With themes of friendship, belonging, and self-discovery, the story gently explores complex emotions through humor and warmth. It's appropriate for children ages 9-12 and contains no intense content, making it a heartwarming read for young readers.
Why we rated Simple Art of Flying 12LE
Simple Art of Flying is written at a Level 7 reading level across 384 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Simple Art of Flying works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Simple Art of Flying as 12LE ("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, Simple Art of Flying explores friendship, family, pets, coming of age, and humor — 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 friendship, family, pets.
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
12LE — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
A time to fly free
Alex Hill
A time to fly free
Alex Hill
Flying
Monica Elena
Flying
Monica Elena
Courage Takes Flight
A. J. Thomas
Courage Takes Flight
A. J. Thomas
Learning to fly
Mordicai Gerstein
Learning to fly
Mordicai Gerstein
Birds
Dean Morris
Birds
Dean Morris
Flying!
Karin Williams
Flying!
Karin Williams
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781534421011
- Pages
- 384
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction