The soothsayer
Laurene Chinn
The soothsayer
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Laurene Chinn
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.
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About This Book
The sharp scent of spices fills the bustling market as Timothy weaves through the crowd, his heart pounding with anticipation. Suddenly, a mysterious soothsayer's words ripple through the air, promising a future tangled with faith and destiny. Timothy's world is about to change forever, stirring feelings he never expected.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade historical fiction follows thirteen-year-old Timothy as he encounters key figures shaping his spiritual journey, including a soothsayer whose predictions challenge his understanding of faith. The story explores early Christian history and the influence of biblical figures in a setting appropriate for readers aged 9-12, with themes of destiny, belief, and personal growth.
Why we rated The soothsayer 11LE
The soothsayer is written at a Level 6 reading level across 240 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The soothsayer works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The soothsayer as 11LE ("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 soothsayer explores christian saints, apostles, historical, coming of age, and faith — 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 christian saints, apostles, historical.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0688000223
- Pages
- 240
- Publisher
- William Morrow
- Published
- 1972
- Type
- Fiction