The plucker
Gerald Brom
The plucker
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
An Illustrated Novel by Brom
by Gerald Brom
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
In a mysterious land where fairy tales twist into shadows, a brave boy faces dark creatures and difficult choices. Packed with thrilling adventures and vivid illustrations, the story explores courage, friendship, and the fight between good and evil. Journey into a world where heroes are tested and every decision matters.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include fantasy violence, fear & anxiety, emotional: suffering & sacrifice. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated The plucker 9ME
The plucker is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 143 pages (approximately 32,335 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.8 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The plucker works for readers up to grade 6.8.
Read aloud, The plucker runs about 3.6 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The plucker 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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Fantasy Violence, Fear & Anxiety, Emotional: Suffering & Sacrifice.
Thematically, The plucker explores adventure, fantasy world-building, coming of age, friendship, and family — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, fantasy world-building, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 0810957922
- Pages
- 143
- Publisher
- Harry N. Abrams
- Published
- 2005
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 32,335
- Read-Aloud
- ~3h 36m
- Text Density
- Standard