The last encounter.
Robin Maugham
The last encounter.
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Robin Maugham
The text is written at a 4th 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
What would you do if you were trapped in a city under siege, unsure of what the future holds? Imagine living through the last months of a great but conflicted hero, whose secrets and struggles are revealed page by page. Will his story end in triumph or tragedy?
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction novel imagines the final journal of General Gordon of Khartoum during the siege of Khartoum. It offers a thoughtful and sometimes intense portrayal of his last months, exploring themes of personal identity and conflict. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it includes complex historical and emotional content that may prompt discussion about courage and uncertainty.
Why we rated The last encounter. 9ME
The last encounter. is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 176 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The last encounter. works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The last encounter. as 9ME ("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, thematic difficulty — 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 last encounter. explores historical, adventure, identity & self-discovery, family, and friendship — 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, adventure, identity & self-discovery.
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
9ME — 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
2/10A 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
- 0070409676
- Pages
- 176
- Publisher
- McGraw-Hill
- Published
- 1973
- Type
- Fiction