The good greenwood
Eric Rhodin
The good greenwood
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Eric Rhodin
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Sometimes, standing up for a friend means fighting against forgetting. After his best friend passes away, a high school senior refuses to let memories fade into silence. What happens when the truth becomes the most powerful way to heal?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of loss, grief, and remembrance through the story of a high school senior coping with the death of his best friend. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively handles bereavement and the social challenges that come with it. Parents should be aware that the book addresses emotional topics related to death and mourning.
Why we rated The good greenwood 9ME
The good greenwood is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 123 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The good greenwood works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The good greenwood as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The good greenwood explores grief, bereavement, friendship, social themes, and coming of age — 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 grief, bereavement, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Goodbye days
Jeff Zentner
Goodbye days
Jeff Zentner
The Green Man
Gail E. Haley
The Green Man
Gail E. Haley
Good grief
Barbara Ward
Good grief
Barbara Ward
When a Friend Dies
Marilyn E. Gootman
When a Friend Dies
Marilyn E. Gootman
Good Things
Maryah Greene
Good Things
Maryah Greene
When a friend dies
Marilyn E. Gootman
When a friend dies
Marilyn E. Gootman
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780664324957
- Pages
- 123
- Publisher
- Westminster John Knox Press
- Published
- 1971
- Type
- Fiction