The printer's devil
Marion Page
The printer's devil
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Marion Page
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Livy is only fifteen, but she faces a secret mission that could change the Civil War! When a Confederate officer teams up with a Yankee counterfeiter in her Vermont town, the stakes are sky-high. What will Livy do when the battle is fought with fake money instead of guns?
Quick Assessment
Set in 1861 during the American Civil War, this historical fiction follows fifteen-year-old Livy as she encounters a Confederate officer, a Yankee counterfeiter, and a young slave boy in Groton, Vermont. The story explores themes of loyalty, deception, and the impact of counterfeit money on the war effort. Suitable for ages 9-12, it provides historical context with moderate complexity but contains no graphic content.
Why we rated The printer's devil 9LE
The printer's devil is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 171 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The printer's devil works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The printer's devil as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The printer's devil explores historical, adventure, coming of age, and social justice — 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, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 0880924640
- Pages
- 171
- Publisher
- Royal Fireworks Publishing Company
- Published
- 2002
- Type
- Fiction