The secret of Ferrell Savage
Jennifer Duddy Gill
The secret of Ferrell Savage
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jennifer Duddy Gill
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
Ferrell Savage isn't just any twelve-year-old—he's caught in a race against time to protect a secret that could change everything. When a new boy threatens to spill the family story about Ferrell's ancestor and Mary Vittles, his best friend, everything feels like it's speeding out of control. What happens next could change their friendship forever.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction revolves around twelve-year-old Ferrell Savage, who faces challenges when a new student uses a family secret to blackmail him and his close friend Mary. The story explores themes of friendship, family dynamics, and trust, suitable for readers aged 9-12. The book handles the idea of secrets and loyalty with sensitivity, without intense content, making it appropriate for its target audience.
Why we rated The secret of Ferrell Savage 9LE
The secret of Ferrell Savage is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 165 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The secret of Ferrell Savage works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The secret of Ferrell Savage 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 secret of Ferrell Savage explores racing, secrets, best friends, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about racing, secrets, best friends.
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
Secret selves
Judie Angell
Secret selves
Judie Angell
Secret
Brigid Kemmerer
Secret
Brigid Kemmerer
Secrets
Melinda Metz
Secrets
Melinda Metz
Finley Pike and Sable's Secret
Anneliese Rider
Finley Pike and Sable's Secret
Anneliese Rider
The Secret Revealed
Perel Shreiber
The Secret Revealed
Perel Shreiber
Secrets in September : A Fern Valley Mystery
Doreen McAvoy
Secrets in September : A Fern Valley Mystery
Doreen McAvoy
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781442460171
- Pages
- 165
- Publisher
- Atheneum Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction