Trying It on the Dog
Alicia Smith
Trying It on the Dog
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Alicia Smith
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
Andy is a thirteen-year-old tomboy who’s tougher than most adults she knows—and that’s saying something. When she hops aboard a train with a grumpy, mysterious old man who thinks she’s a boy, survival becomes a wild adventure where every step could change her forever. But what happens when the one person who doesn’t want her around becomes the key to her greatest journey?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows thirteen-year-old Andy Farnsworth as she embarks on an 1800-mile journey during the Great Depression with Elmo, a gruff, solitary man who initially mistakes her for a boy. The story explores themes of family struggle, identity, and resilience in the face of hardship, including issues such as alcoholism and social challenges. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book offers rich emotional depth and historical context without graphic content but does address some mature topics thoughtfully.
Why we rated Trying It on the Dog 12ME
Trying It on the Dog is written at a Level 8 reading level across 484 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Trying It on the Dog works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Trying It on the Dog 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, social complexity — 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, Trying It on the Dog explores coming of age, family, social justice, adventure, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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 coming of age, family, social justice.
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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780738868356
- Pages
- 484
- Publisher
- Publishers Circulation Corporation
- Published
- May 2002
- Type
- Fiction