The call of the wild
Earle Hitchner
The call of the wild
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Earle Hitchner
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Crunching snow under big paws, a cold wind carries the scent of pine and adventure. A brave dog, part St. Bernard and part Scotch shepherd, faces the wild Klondike with courage and heart. Alone in a frozen land, he finds strength and friendship in the most unexpected places.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader introduces young children to the adventurous journey of a unique dog who is taken to the Klondike gold fields. The story gently explores themes of courage, survival, and leadership in a wilderness setting appropriate for ages 5-8. Parents should note the depiction of animals and wilderness challenges, which are mild and suitable for early readers.
Why we rated The call of the wild 7LE
The call of the wild is written at a Level 2 reading level across 44 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The call of the wild works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate The call of the wild as 7LE ("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 call of the wild explores adventure, animals, survival, and friendship — 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, animals, survival.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780816718641
- Pages
- 44
- Publisher
- Troll Communications
- Published
- 1990
- Type
- Fiction