To forget Palermo
Edmonde Charles-Roux
To forget Palermo
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Edmonde Charles-Roux
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The streets of Palermo buzz with secrets as a young girl races through the crowded alleys, clutching a mysterious letter. Suddenly, shadows close in, and she must decide who to trust. What will happen next?
Quick Assessment
Set in the vibrant city of Palermo, this middle-grade novel follows a young protagonist navigating a suspenseful adventure filled with mystery and discovery. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers engaging storytelling with themes of trust and courage, without intense content. The book includes both English and French text, supporting bilingual readers.
Why we rated To forget Palermo 12LE
To forget Palermo is written at a Level 7 reading level across 304 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, To forget Palermo works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate To forget Palermo as 12LE ("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, To forget Palermo explores adventure, mystery, and friendship — 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 adventure, mystery, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Forgotten
Cat Patrick
Forgotten
Cat Patrick
Pursuit in Paris
C. S. Doemner
Pursuit in Paris
C. S. Doemner
A day to remember to forget.
Rosalind Brackenbury
A day to remember to forget.
Rosalind Brackenbury
Forever Forgotten yet Forever Remembered
Arya Aleron
Forever Forgotten yet Forever Remembered
Arya Aleron
Forget Me
K. A. Harrington
Forget Me
K. A. Harrington
Inconsolable memories
Edmundo Desnoes
Inconsolable memories
Edmundo Desnoes
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0297761552
- Pages
- 304
- Publisher
- George Weidenfeld & Nicholson
- Published
- 1968
- Type
- Fiction