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Tim in danger

Edward Ardizzone

Cover of Tim in danger

Tim in danger

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Edward Ardizzone

Little Tim

Reading Level 4-5 9LP Ages 5-8 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

Tim and Charlotte set off on a daring journey to find their friend Ginger, who has run away to sea. Without any money to head back, they join a ship’s crew and face thrilling challenges, including a shipwreck, as they navigate the vast ocean. Their adventure is filled with excitement and bravery as they search for Ginger and work together to overcome obstacles.

Themes

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 5-8.

Why we rated Tim in danger 9LP

Tim in danger is written at a Level 4-5 reading level (approximately 1,857 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tim in danger works for readers up to grade 6.5.

Read aloud, Tim in danger takes about 12 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate Tim in danger as 9LP ("Light — 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, Tim in danger explores adventure, friendship, and sea stories — 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.
  • Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
  • Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, sea stories.
  • Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 4 more books in the Little Tim series.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LP — Light — Physical
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Clear

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Content Flags

Mild Peril
Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

6/10

Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
8

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Details

Book Length

0
1,857 words
12m read-aloud
ISBN
0688176755
Publisher
HarperCollins Publishers
Published
2000
Type
Fiction
Word Count
1,857
Read-Aloud
~12 min

Genres

Subjects

ShipwrecksAdventure and AdventurersSea StoriesOceanTimAdventures and AdventurersShipsFog