The Grand Old Duke of York
Maureen Roffey
The Grand Old Duke of York
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Maureen Roffey
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 Duke shouts orders as his soldiers march up the steep hill, their boots thudding on the ground. Suddenly, one by one, the soldiers start to disappear—where could they have gone? The Duke has to find them all before the march continues!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This charming picture book adapts the classic nursery rhyme 'The Grand Old Duke of York' with playful new verses that engage early readers aged 5 to 8. The story combines rhythmic text and vibrant illustrations to support reading development and introduce concepts of counting and direction. Suitable for young children, it contains no content concerns.
Why we rated The Grand Old Duke of York 7C
The Grand Old Duke of York 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 Grand Old Duke of York works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate The Grand Old Duke of York 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 Grand Old Duke of York explores nursery rhymes, picture books, children's poetry, early reading, and children's 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 nursery rhymes, picture books, children's poetry.
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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781879085626
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Charlesbridge Publishing
- Published
- February 1996
- Type
- Fiction