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The hour of the wolf

Patricia Calvert

Cover of The hour of the wolf

The hour of the wolf

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Patricia Calvert

Reading Level 4-5 Unrated Ages 9-12

The text is written at a 4th 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

Following his suicide attempt, a loner and a loser who has never lived up to his father's expectations is sent to Alaska, where he subsequently enters the annual thousand-mile-long Iditarod Trail Race from Anchorage to Nome in memory of his Athabascan Indian friend who dies.

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated The hour of the wolf Level 0

The hour of the wolf is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 147 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The hour of the wolf works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate The hour of the wolf as Unrated because the content sits in the "Unrated" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the unrated intensity score.

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.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 0 — Unrated
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

This book has not yet been rated for content intensity.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Unrated" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Theme Richness
1
World Scope
3
Data Confidence
4

Details

Book Length

147 pages
ISBN
068417961X
Pages
147
Publisher
Atheneum
Published
1983
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

SuicideFathers and SonsSled Dog RacingAlaskaFathers

Places

Alaska