The Taggerung (Redwall)
Brian Jacques
The Taggerung (Redwall)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Brian Jacques
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What if you were taken from your home as a baby and raised by a band of villains? Imagine growing up strong and brave, but torn between two worlds. Now, the Taggerung must decide where he truly belongs—and face dangers that could change everything.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy follows a young otter kidnapped and raised by a group of dangerous vermin who teach him to be a warrior and thief. As he leaves his captors to forge his own path, he encounters adventure, challenges, and questions about identity and loyalty. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book includes action and fantasy violence typical for this age group.
Why we rated The Taggerung (Redwall) 12ME
The Taggerung (Redwall) is written at a Level 8 reading level across 448 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Taggerung (Redwall) works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate The Taggerung (Redwall) as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — 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 moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The Taggerung (Redwall) explores adventure, fantasy world-building, coming of age, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, fantasy world-building, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781862302457
- Pages
- 448
- Publisher
- Random House
- Published
- September 4, 2007
- Type
- Fiction