The raging quiet
Sherryl Jordan
The raging quiet
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sherryl Jordan
The text is written at a 8th 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
Marnie steps quietly through the village square, watching eyes dart her way filled with fear and doubt. She knows the truth about the so-called madman — he’s not crazy, just deaf. But when she starts signing to him, the whispers grow louder, and danger looms closer.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of prejudice and disability through the story of Marnie, a sixteen-year-old newcomer who challenges her village's superstitions by communicating with a deaf man using sign language. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses misunderstandings about disabilities and the courage it takes to stand up against fear and suspicion.
Why we rated The raging quiet 12MS
The raging quiet is written at a Level 8 reading level across 440 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The raging quiet works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate The raging quiet as 12MS ("Moderate — Social") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The raging quiet explores prejudices, deaf, people with disabilities, sign language, and friendship — 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 prejudices, deaf, people with disabilities.
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
12MS — Moderate — SocialLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 0786273135
- Pages
- 440
- Publisher
- Large Print Press
- Published
- 2005
- Type
- Fiction