Tara's Flight
Ruth Eitzen
Tara's Flight
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ruth Eitzen
Illustrated by Allan Eitzen
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to carry the most important message in the world? Tara the dove waits patiently inside a cozy loft as thunder crashes and rain falls for days and nights. What will happen when Tara is sent out to fly again—will she bring hope or news of more waiting?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This gentle retelling of the Noah's Ark story is designed for early readers aged 5 to 8. It focuses on Tara, the dove, who carries messages between Noah’s family during the flood, emphasizing themes of hope and patience. The story contains mild religious themes presented in a comforting way suitable for young children.
Why we rated Tara's Flight 7LE
Tara's Flight is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tara's Flight works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Tara's Flight as 7LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Tara's Flight explores animals - birds, religious - general, family, friendship, and hope — 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 - birds, religious - general, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — Light — EmotionalNo 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
- 9781590785638
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Boyds Mills Press
- Published
- February 2008
- Type
- Fiction