Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The Silver Donkey
Sonya Hartnett
The Silver Donkey
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Illustrated by Don Powers
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LP, means mild content, mostly physical.
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About This Book
What if a mysterious soldier appeared in a quiet village during a great war? Imagine two brave children meeting him and finding a silver donkey that holds a secret. But can their kindness and courage change everything before the danger closes in?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in the French countryside during World War I, this historical fiction novel explores themes of kindness, loyalty, and courage through the experiences of children who encounter a lost soldier and a symbolic silver donkey. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story gently addresses the impact of war without graphic content, making it appropriate for middle-grade readers interested in history and social values.
Why we rated The Silver Donkey LP (Mild)
The Silver Donkey is written at a Level 6 reading level across 272 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 7 and up can manage The Silver Donkey on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
We rate The Silver Donkey as LP (Mild, mostly physical) 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, The Silver Donkey explores historical, war & conflict, friendship, courage, and kindness — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, war & conflict, friendship.
- ✓ Readers (and parents) who care about award-recognized writing — The Silver Donkey carries an award.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
LP · Mild · PhysicalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780763629373
- Pages
- 272
- Publisher
- Candlewick Press (MA)
- Published
- September 12, 2006
- Type
- Fiction