Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle
Victor Appleton
Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Victor Appleton
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The electric hum crackles in the air, buzzing like a swarm of tiny lightning bugs trapped inside a metal box. Tom Swift’s fingers tingle as he adjusts his incredible electric rifle, ready to zap whatever adventure comes next. In a world powered by imagination and invention, every spark could change everything.
Quick Assessment
This classic middle-grade adventure follows Tom Swift, a young inventor with a passion for mechanics and airships, as he navigates exciting challenges with his latest creation: an electric rifle. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, the story combines elements of science fiction and action, encouraging curiosity about technology and innovation. The book contains no mature content, making it a safe and inspiring read for young audiences interested in adventure and invention.
Why we rated Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle 9C
Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 176 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle as 9C ("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, Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle explores adventure, science & nature, friendship, coming of age, and historical — 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 adventure, science & nature, 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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Tom Swift and His Giant Cannon
Victor Appleton
Tom Swift and His Giant Cannon
Victor Appleton
Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders
Victor Appleton
Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders
Victor Appleton
Tom Swift and His War Tank
Victor Appleton
Tom Swift and His War Tank
Victor Appleton
Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle
Victor Appleton
Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle
Victor Appleton
Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle
Victor Appleton
Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle
Victor Appleton
Tom Swift Among the Diamond Makers
Victor Appleton
Tom Swift Among the Diamond Makers
Victor Appleton
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781576463819
- Pages
- 176
- Publisher
- Quiet Vision Pub
- Published
- July 2000
- Type
- Fiction