Where Trouble Sleeps
Clyde Edgerton
Where Trouble Sleeps
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Clyde Edgerton
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What if your small town held secrets that could change everything you thought you knew? Imagine growing up in the 1950s, where every street corner whispers stories of friendship, family, and unexpected trouble. But what happens when those secrets start to unravel?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in a small North Carolina town during the 1950s, this coming-of-age novel explores the life of a young boy navigating the challenges of growing up in a close-knit community. Suitable for readers aged 13-18, the story touches on themes of family, identity, and social dynamics typical of the era, with content appropriate for middle to high school readers.
Why we rated Where Trouble Sleeps 11LE
Where Trouble Sleeps is written at a Level 6 reading level across 260 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Where Trouble Sleeps works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Where Trouble Sleeps as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Where Trouble Sleeps explores coming of age, family, friendship, and country life — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about coming of age, family, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780613175937
- Pages
- 260
- Publisher
- Turtleback
- Published
- October 1999
- Type
- Fiction