Under the Hermes
Richard Dehan
Under the Hermes
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
And Other Stories
by Richard Dehan
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
I’m going to tell you a secret about a very old book called Under the Hermes. It holds stories from long ago that you won’t find anywhere else, and each page hides a world waiting to be discovered—but that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Under the Hermes is a collection of short stories originally published before 1923, offering a glimpse into historical literature for middle-grade readers. The edition preserves the original format, including occasional imperfections due to the age and scanning process. Suitable for ages 9-12, it provides cultural and literary value without modern content concerns.
Why we rated Under the Hermes 12C
Under the Hermes is written at a Level 7 reading level across 341 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Under the Hermes works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Under the Hermes as 12C ("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, Under the Hermes weaves together historical and fiction short stories.
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 historical, fiction short stories.
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
12C — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0836935101
- Pages
- 341
- Publisher
- Books for Libraries
- Published
- 1970
- Type
- Fiction