The homecoming
Norah Lofts
The homecoming
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Norah Lofts
The text is written at a 6th 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.
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About This Book
The sharp clang of swords echoes through the cold morning air as Sir Godfrey Tallboys tightens his grip on the reins. The scent of damp earth and distant smoke fills the battlefield where friends and foes collide in the fierce Wars of the Roses. Amid the chaos, the fate of home and honor hangs in the balance, stirring deep feelings of courage and loss.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set during the Wars of the Roses, this historical fiction follows Sir Godfrey Tallboys as he leaves a troubled household to engage in a bitter civil war. Suitable for middle-grade readers ages 9-12, the story explores themes of family conflict, loyalty, and the harsh realities of medieval warfare. Parents should note the depiction of battle scenes and the emotional weight of family dissension.
Why we rated The homecoming 11ME
The homecoming is written at a Level 6 reading level across 282 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The homecoming works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The homecoming as 11ME ("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, physical peril — 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 homecoming explores historical, family, war & conflict, and courage — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, family, war & conflict.
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
11ME — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0385009577
- Pages
- 282
- Publisher
- Doubleday
- Published
- 1976
- Type
- Fiction