The Daring Adventures of Penhaligon Brush
S. Jones Rogan
The Daring Adventures of Penhaligon Brush
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by S. Jones Rogan
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
The salty breeze stings your nose as waves crash against jagged cliffs. Penhaligon Brush, a clever fox, arrives at the mysterious seaside town of Porthleven, where the scent of seaweed mingles with ancient stone. His step-brother is trapped in a dark dungeon, but Penhaligon’s adventure is only beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure follows Penhaligon Brush, a fox who travels to a coastal town to rescue his step-brother from imprisonment. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story combines elements of mystery, animal characters, and suspense without graphic content. It encourages problem-solving and bravery in young readers.
Why we rated The Daring Adventures of Penhaligon Brush 11LE
The Daring Adventures of Penhaligon Brush is written at a Level 6 reading level across 230 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Daring Adventures of Penhaligon Brush works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Daring Adventures of Penhaligon Brush 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 Daring Adventures of Penhaligon Brush explores adventure, animals, and friendship — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, animals, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
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
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
- 9780375943447
- Pages
- 230
- Publisher
- Knopf Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction