The Opossum's Table
Theodore Clymer
The Opossum's Table
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Level 7
by Theodore Clymer
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if you were a mama opossum searching everywhere for food to feed your babies? Imagine the busy forest, the rustling leaves, and the little noses waiting hungrily. Can Mama Opossum find enough to keep her family safe and strong?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This simple, gently paced story follows a mother opossum's quest to find food for her young, highlighting themes of care and perseverance. Designed for early readers aged 5-8, it uses accessible language suitable for grade 2 reading levels. The book addresses relatable challenges in an animal setting without any intense content.
Why we rated The Opossum's Table 7LE
The Opossum's Table is written at a Level 2 reading level across 22 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Opossum's Table works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate The Opossum's Table as 7LE ("Light — Emotional") 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 Opossum's Table explores family, nature, and perseverance — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, nature, perseverance.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — Light — EmotionalNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9780663254798
- Pages
- 22
- Publisher
- Ginn and Company
- Published
- 1973
- Type
- Fiction