Telling Pool
David Clement-Davies
Telling Pool
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by David Clement-Davies
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Rhodri races through the shadowy woods, heart pounding as dark magic swirls around him. The ancient curse on Great Britain tightens its grip, and only his courage and a mysterious link to King Arthur can save the day. But will Rhodri's quest end in triumph—or disaster?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy adventure follows Rhodri, a Welsh teenager during Richard the Lionheart's reign, as he seeks to break an ancient curse tied to Arthurian legend. The story blends historical elements with magic and bravery suitable for ages 9-12. Themes of courage, friendship, and history are explored with moderate peril but no graphic content.
Why we rated Telling Pool 12ME
Telling Pool is written at a Level 7 reading level across 382 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Telling Pool works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Telling Pool as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, 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, Telling Pool explores adventure, fantasy world-building, historical, coming of age, and magic — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, fantasy world-building, historical.
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
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal 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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780810992573
- Pages
- 382
- Publisher
- Harry N. Abrams
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction