The well
Gene Kemp
The well
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Gene Kemp
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
The cool breeze carries the scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth as Annie steps outside her cozy home in a quiet English village. The gentle hum of daily village life surrounds her, but beneath the calm, big changes are on the horizon. Annie’s world is about to grow in ways she never imagined.
Quick Assessment
Set in a peaceful English village before World War II, this story follows Annie Sutton’s everyday adventures with her family. Suitable for early readers aged 5-8, it gently explores themes of family life and growing up in a historical setting without intense conflict or mature content.
Why we rated The well 8C
The well is written at a Level 3 reading level across 90 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The well works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate The well as 8C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, The well explores family, coming of age, historical, and multicultural — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 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, coming of age, historical.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
- 0571132847
- Pages
- 90
- Publisher
- Faber and Faber
- Published
- 1984
- Type
- Fiction