The perfume
Caroline B. Cooney
The perfume
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Caroline B. Cooney
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is very intense with mature or graphic material.
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About This Book
Dove’s life takes a dark turn when a mysterious perfume awakens a sinister presence connected to her family. As danger and secrets unravel, she must confront terrifying truths that threaten her safety and sanity. This gripping tale blends suspense with chilling twists that keep readers on edge.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with very intense content intensity. Note: content intensity (Very Intense) exceeds what the reading level might suggest. Content themes include animal abuse, death of animal, bugs. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated The perfume 9VP
The perfume is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 167 pages (approximately 35,526 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.8 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The perfume works for readers up to grade 6.8.
Read aloud, The perfume runs about 4 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The perfume as 9VP ("Vivid — Physical") because the content sits in the "Very Intense" range — very intense or graphic content — peril, violence, trauma, or mature themes treated head-on. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Animal Abuse, Death of Animal, Bugs, Spiders, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Stalking, Addiction, Torture.
Thematically, The perfume explores mystery, family, psychological thriller, suspense, and supernatural — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, family, psychological thriller.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9VP — Vivid — PhysicalGraphic or sustained depictions of trauma, violence, or mature content.
Content Flags
Was our "Very Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0590454021
- Pages
- 167
- Publisher
- Point
- Published
- 1992
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 35,526
- Read-Aloud
- ~3h 57m
- Text Density
- Standard