What I Did for Roman
Pam Conrad
What I Did for Roman
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Pam Conrad
Illustrated by Linda Benson
The text is written at a 6th 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
What would you do if you spent a summer in a zoo, searching for a father you've never met? Darcie finds herself living with her grumpy uncle and his wife, surrounded by animals and secrets. But when a mysterious seal and bird keeper draws her into a dangerous challenge, everything changes—will she survive the test?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows fifteen-year-old Darcie as she spends the summer living with relatives at a zoo while searching for her absent father. The story explores themes of family, self-discovery, and courage, with some moments of mild peril related to the protagonist's involvement in a risky challenge. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains no graphic content but addresses emotional growth and adventure.
Why we rated What I Did for Roman 11ME
What I Did for Roman is written at a Level 6 reading level across 228 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What I Did for Roman works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate What I Did for Roman as 11ME ("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, physical peril — 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, What I Did for Roman explores family, animals, adventure, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, animals, adventure.
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
11ME — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780064471640
- Pages
- 228
- Publisher
- HarperTrophy
- Published
- September 1996
- Type
- Fiction