The brick moon and other stories.
Edward Everett Hale
The brick moon and other stories.
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Edward Everett Hale
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Here’s a secret: long before rockets soared, someone imagined building a giant brick ball that floated up into the sky, carrying people with it. This isn’t just any story—it’s the first ever tale about a satellite orbiting Earth, but that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This classic collection, originally published in 1869, features imaginative 19th-century stories including 'The Brick Moon,' which envisions the accidental launch of a massive brick satellite carrying people into orbit. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it offers a glimpse into early science fiction and social life of the era with thoughtful language and historical context.
Why we rated The brick moon and other stories. 12C
The brick moon and other stories. is written at a Level 7 reading level across 369 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The brick moon and other stories. works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The brick moon and other stories. as 12C ("Clear") 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, The brick moon and other stories. explores science & nature, historical, and adventure — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about science & nature, historical, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 0836935128
- Pages
- 369
- Publisher
- Books for Libraries Press
- Published
- 1970
- Type
- Fiction