Smoke That Thunders
P.J. Reece
Smoke That Thunders
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by P.J. Reece
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What if you found yourself running through wild Africa with the police chasing you and only your mom’s credit card in your pocket? Imagine racing down Hell Road, dodging dangerous potholes and mysterious car-cannibals while whispers of the fierce Duma the Cheetah fill the air. Can David survive the thrills and dangers lurking at every turn?
Quick Assessment
This action-packed adventure follows young David Livingstone as he navigates the challenges of escaping Tanzanian authorities and traveling a treacherous route toward the Zambian border. Suitable for middle-grade to young adult readers, the story contains themes of adventure and survival in an African setting, with some mild peril and suspense. Parents should note moments of tension involving pursuit and danger, but no graphic violence is depicted.
Why we rated Smoke That Thunders 9MP
Smoke That Thunders is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 164 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Smoke That Thunders works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Smoke That Thunders as 9MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — 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 moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Smoke That Thunders explores adventure, people & places - africa, action & adventure, and survival — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, people & places - africa, action & adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" 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
- 9781895449884
- Pages
- 164
- Publisher
- Saskatoon : Thistledown Press
- Published
- August 19, 1999
- Type
- Fiction