Walking With Jesus: Past Tense : Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 9:9 (Gemmen, Heather. Rocket Readers. Work It Out.)
Heather Gemmen
Walking With Jesus: Past Tense : Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 9:9 (Gemmen, Heather. Rocket Readers. Work It Out.)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Past Tense : Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 9:9
by Heather Gemmen
Illustrated by Joe Boddy
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.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered what it was like to follow Jesus long ago? Imagine walking along the shore, hearing His words and feeling the excitement of a new adventure just beginning. What will happen when ordinary fishermen become His first followers?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book offers a simplified retelling of key moments from the Gospel of Matthew, focusing on Jesus calling His first disciples. Appropriate for children aged 9 to 12, it provides an accessible introduction to these biblical stories while fostering curiosity about faith and history. The content is gentle and suitable for middle-grade readers with no mature themes.
Why we rated Walking With Jesus: Past Tense : Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 9:9 (Gemmen, Heather. Rocket Readers. Work It Out.) 9C
Walking With Jesus: Past Tense : Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 9:9 (Gemmen, Heather. Rocket Readers. Work It Out.) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Walking With Jesus: Past Tense : Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 9:9 (Gemmen, Heather. Rocket Readers. Work It Out.) works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Walking With Jesus: Past Tense : Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 9:9 (Gemmen, Heather. Rocket Readers. Work It Out.) 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, Walking With Jesus: Past Tense : Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 9:9 (Gemmen, Heather. Rocket Readers. Work It Out.) explores bible stories, faith, adventure, 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 bible stories, faith, adventure.
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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
- ISBN
- 9780781440189
- Publisher
- Faith Kidz
- Published
- June 2004
- Type
- Fiction