The broad back of the angel
Leon Rooke
The broad back of the angel
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Leon Rooke
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Rain pelts the cracked pavement as a mysterious figure hurries through the shadowy streets, clutching a secret that could change everything. Suddenly, a sharp noise cuts through the night—what’s coming around the corner? The broad back of the angel might be the only hope, but will it be enough?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction story, suitable for ages 9-12, features an intriguing and suspenseful narrative that captures the imagination. The book involves adventure and mystery elements without graphic content, making it appropriate for its target audience. Parents can expect a story that encourages curiosity and critical thinking with moderate thematic complexity.
Why we rated The broad back of the angel 11LE
The broad back of the angel is written at a Level 6 reading level across 201 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The broad back of the angel works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The broad back of the angel as 11LE ("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, The broad back of the angel explores adventure, mystery, friendship, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, mystery, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 0914590421
- Pages
- 201
- Publisher
- New York : Fiction Collective
- Published
- 1977
- Type
- Fiction