Storm (Yellow Bananas)
Kevin Crossley-Holland
Storm (Yellow Bananas)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kevin Crossley-Holland
Illustrated by Alan Marks
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What if the marsh near your home was full of spooky ghost stories? Imagine facing your biggest fear on a wild, stormy night to help your family. Can Annie brave the marsh and find the doctor in time?
Quick Assessment
This early chapter book follows Annie, a young girl who must overcome her fear of a haunted marsh during a stormy night to get help for her sister’s childbirth. Suitable for ages 5-8, the story gently explores themes of bravery and family responsibility with minimal scary elements. The language and plot are appropriate for early readers, making it a comforting yet adventurous read.
Why we rated Storm (Yellow Bananas) 7LE
Storm (Yellow Bananas) is written at a Level 2 reading level across 48 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Storm (Yellow Bananas) works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Storm (Yellow Bananas) as 7LE ("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, Storm (Yellow Bananas) explores ghosts, family, bravery, and adventure — 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 ghosts, family, bravery.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780778709800
- Pages
- 48
- Publisher
- Turtleback
- Published
- October 2002
- Type
- Fiction