The Crossing
Gina Erickson
The Crossing
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Gina Erickson
Illustrated by Gifford Russell
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
Dean the turtle is the fastest moat crosser ever, but he’s not just racing—he’s saving friends stuck on wobbly boats! Watch how his bravery turns a contest into a big adventure that shows why helping others is the real win.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This beginner reader story follows Dean, a turtle who competes in a moat-crossing contest but pauses to help other animals in trouble. Ideal for ages 5-8, it highlights themes of kindness, bravery, and problem-solving with simple language suitable for early readers.
Why we rated The Crossing 7C
The Crossing is written at a Level 2 reading level across 24 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Crossing works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate The Crossing 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 Crossing explores friendship, adventure, and helping others — 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 friendship, adventure, helping others.
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
- 9780812093377
- Pages
- 24
- Publisher
- B.E.S. Publishing
- Published
- April 1, 1996
- Type
- Fiction