What reading level is William Tell?

William Tell by Paul D. Storrie is at a Level 3-4 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is William Tell appropriate for?

William Tell is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 8VE (Vivid — Emotional). Content flags: Sexual Content, Graphic Violence, Physical Danger, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Emotional: Loss & Grief.

What genre is William Tell?

William Tell is fiction — Juvenile Fiction. Part of the Graphic Myths and Legends series.

Does William Tell have any content warnings?

William Tell has a HootRating of 8VE (Vivid — Emotional). Content flags include: Sexual Content, Graphic Violence, Physical Danger, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Emotional: Loss & Grief. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is William Tell?

William Tell by Paul D. Storrie is 48 pages (approximately 4,212 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

William Tell

Paul D. Storrie

William Tell

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

One Against an Empire : a Swiss Legend

by Paul D. Storrie

Graphic Myths and Legends

Reading Level 3-4 8VE Ages 9-12 Mature Content Page-Turner

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is very intense with mature or graphic material.

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About This Book

Experience the dramatic legend of William Tell, a skilled marksman faced with an impossible choice to save his son by shooting an apple from his head. This powerful tale unfolds with intense challenges and heroic courage in a vivid graphic format. Discover a story of bravery and sacrifice that tests family bonds and personal strength.

Themes

Historical Family AdventureHeroism

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 3-4 book with very intense content intensity. Note: content intensity (Very Intense) exceeds what the reading level might suggest. Content themes include sexual content, graphic violence, physical danger. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated William Tell 8VE

William Tell is written at a Level 3-4 reading level across 48 pages (approximately 4,212 words). Strong independent readers around grade 4.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, William Tell works for readers up to grade 5.2.

Read aloud, William Tell takes about 28 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate William Tell as 8VE ("Vivid — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Very Intense" range — very intense or graphic content — peril, violence, trauma, or mature themes treated head-on. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Sexual Content, Graphic Violence, Physical Danger, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Emotional: Loss & Grief.

Thematically, William Tell explores historical, family, adventure, and heroism — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, family, adventure.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 7 more books in the Graphic Myths and Legends series.

Maybe not for

! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.