The high-flying contest
Tanner Ottley Gay
The high-flying contest
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
an African American trickster tale
by Tanner Ottley Gay
Illustrated by Suzan, Geraldo, illustrator
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
The crisp rush of wind fills your feathers as you soar high above the trees, the world buzzing below. A tiny wren clings tightly, heart pounding, on the back of a proud, booming eagle. What happens when the smallest flyer takes the biggest chance?
Quick Assessment
This charming middle-grade fiction tells the story of a small wren who wins a flying contest by cleverly riding on an eagle’s back. Suitable for readers aged 9 to 12, it explores themes of courage, creativity, and self-confidence through a simple yet engaging narrative. The story is gentle and appropriate, with no intense content, making it an excellent choice for young readers building their reading skills.
Why we rated The high-flying contest 10C
The high-flying contest is written at a Level 5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The high-flying contest works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate The high-flying contest as 10C ("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 high-flying contest explores friendship, adventure, 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 friendship, adventure, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10C — 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
- ISBN
- 9780618291588
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin
- Published
- 2004
- Type
- Fiction