The last of Ellman
James E. Nash
The last of Ellman
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by James E. Nash
The text is written at a 6th 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
There’s a secret hidden in the quiet town of Ellman, a secret that only a few know about. When everything starts to change, one young tutor might be the key to uncovering the truth — but that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows a young tutor navigating challenges in the town of Ellman. It touches on themes of tutoring and personal growth appropriate for ages 9-12, with no notable content concerns. The story encourages problem-solving and resilience in a relatable setting.
Why we rated The last of Ellman 11C
The last of Ellman is written at a Level 6 reading level across 214 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The last of Ellman works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The last of Ellman as 11C ("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 last of Ellman explores tutoring, personal growth, and mystery — 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 tutoring, personal growth, mystery.
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
11C — 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
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0060131586
- Pages
- 214
- Publisher
- Harper & Row
- Published
- 1971
- Type
- Fiction