The Kissimmee Kid
Vera Cleaver
The Kissimmee Kid
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Vera Cleaver
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What would you do if you discovered cattle rustling right on your family's ranch? Evelyn Chestnut faces this tricky choice between doing what's right and staying loyal to those she loves. Will she protect her family or stand up for justice?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure story centers on Evelyn Chestnut as she uncovers cattle rustling on her family's ranch in Central Florida. The book explores themes of loyalty, morality, and family dynamics, suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. It contains no intense content, making it appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated The Kissimmee Kid 9LE
The Kissimmee Kid is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 144 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Kissimmee Kid works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The Kissimmee Kid as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The Kissimmee Kid explores adventure, family, moral choice, and brothers and sisters — 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 adventure, family, moral choice.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780553238440
- Pages
- 144
- Publisher
- Bantam Books
- Published
- January 1984
- Type
- Fiction