The Flying Fish
Terri Dougherty
The Flying Fish
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Terri Dougherty
Illustrated by Kristy Visser
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
The splash of water ripples across the quiet pond as Rachel holds her fishing pole tight. The fresh, earthy smell of the outdoors fills the air while she waits patiently, hoping for a nibble. Catching a fish feels like a big adventure, but will Rachel's patience pay off today?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This gentle early reader story follows Rachel, a young girl fishing with her grandfather, as she learns about patience and the joys of nature. Suitable for children ages 5-8, it features simple vocabulary and themes of family bonding and cultural representation. There is no intense content, making it appropriate for early readers.
Why we rated The Flying Fish 7C
The Flying Fish 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 Flying Fish works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate The Flying Fish 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 Flying Fish explores family, multicultural, beginner readers, nature, 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 family, multicultural, beginner readers.
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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781404824102
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Capstone
- Published
- August 2006
- Type
- Fiction