The Carnival Committee
Susan Blackaby
The Carnival Committee
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Susan Blackaby
Illustrated by Ryan Haugen
The text is written at a 1st grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
The third graders at Hill Street School are in charge of the carnival fliers, but what happens when a huge mistake sneaks onto the flyer? This mix-up could turn the whole carnival upside down—and it’s up to them to fix it before the fun disappears!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader story follows third graders preparing for their school's spring carnival, focusing on teamwork and problem-solving when an error on the carnival flyer threatens the event. Suitable for ages 5-8, it gently addresses themes of responsibility and cooperation in a school setting with simple language appropriate for beginner readers.
Why we rated The Carnival Committee 6C
The Carnival Committee is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Carnival Committee works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate The Carnival Committee as 6C ("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 Carnival Committee explores school & education, friendship, social issues - general, juvenile easy readers, and juvenile fiction — 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 school & education, friendship, social issues - general.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9781404823358
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Capstone
- Published
- July 2007
- Type
- Fiction