Tarzan
Robert Blaisdell
Tarzan
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Robert Blaisdell
The text is written at a 3rd 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
The rustle of leaves and the calls of wild apes fill the warm jungle air. A tiny baby, all alone, is cradled by a gentle ape who lost her own little one. Growing up in the heart of the jungle, he learns to swing through trees and listen to the wild, but deep inside, he wonders about the world beyond the leaves.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early-reader adaptation of Tarzan tells the story of a young boy raised by apes in the African jungle after losing his parents. It explores themes of nature, family, and identity in a gentle way suitable for children ages 5-8. There is no graphic content, making it appropriate for early readers interested in adventure and animal stories.
Why we rated Tarzan 8LE
Tarzan is written at a Level 3 reading level across 92 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tarzan works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Tarzan as 8LE ("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, Tarzan explores adventure, family, nature, coming of age, and feral children — 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 adventure, family, nature.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LE — 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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0486295303
- Pages
- 92
- Publisher
- Courier Corporation
- Published
- 1997
- Type
- Fiction