The Clever Apple Pie
Francis Mosley
The Clever Apple Pie
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Francis Mosley
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if an apple pie could think and run away to save itself? Imagine this clever pie darting past a farmer's wife, three tailors, and even a blacksmith—all eager to eat him! But can he really escape everyone chasing him, or will someone finally catch this smart dessert?
Quick Assessment
This charming early reader features a clever apple pie who tries to avoid being eaten by escaping various characters like a farmer's wife and tradespeople. Suitable for ages 5-8, the story combines fantasy and fairy tale elements with simple language ideal for grade 2 readers. The book offers a fun, lighthearted take on problem-solving and cleverness without any intense content.
Why we rated The Clever Apple Pie 7C
The Clever Apple Pie is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Clever Apple Pie works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate The Clever Apple Pie as 7C ("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 Clever Apple Pie explores fantasy world-building, adventure, 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 fantasy world-building, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — 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
- 9780233979380
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Dutton Childrens Books
- Published
- November 1986
- Type
- Fiction