The robbers
Nina Bawden
The robbers
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Nina Bawden
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What happens when your whole world changes overnight? Phillip has always felt safe with his grandmother, but now his father has remarried, and a new stepmother is part of the picture. Can he find friendship and belonging in this new life in bustling London?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the challenges a nine-year-old boy faces when his widowed father remarries, prompting him to adjust from living with his grandmother to a new family dynamic. Set in London, the story sensitively addresses themes of family change, step-parent relationships, and friendship, making it suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. The book handles emotional transitions with warmth and is appropriate for children navigating similar family experiences.
Why we rated The robbers 9LE
The robbers is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 155 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The robbers works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The robbers 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 robbers explores family, friendship, grandmothers, fathers and sons, and stepmothers — 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 family, friendship, grandmothers.
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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
A handful of thieves
Nina Bawden
A handful of thieves
Nina Bawden
The Good Thieves
Katherine Rundell
The Good Thieves
Katherine Rundell
Off the road
Nina Bawden
Off the road
Nina Bawden
Kept in the Dark
Nina Bawden
Kept in the Dark
Nina Bawden
The finding
Nina Bawden
The finding
Nina Bawden
Three Little Robbers
Christine Graham
Three Little Robbers
Christine Graham
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780688419028
- Pages
- 155
- Publisher
- Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books
- Published
- 1979
- Type
- Fiction