Yu the Great
Paul D. Storrie
Yu the Great
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Conquering the Flood [A Chinese Legend]
by Paul D. Storrie
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Feel the rumble of rushing water and the smell of fresh earth as Yu the Great steps into a world threatened by mighty floods. Born from a golden dragon and aided by magical creatures, he uses enchanted soil to save his land. The roar of the river fades, but Yu’s courage echoes forever.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This graphic novel adapts the ancient Chinese legend of Yu the Great, a heroic figure credited with founding the Xia Dynasty and controlling catastrophic floods through magical engineering. Suitable for early readers ages 5-8, it combines folklore with vivid illustrations to introduce young children to Chinese culture and mythology. The story is gentle, with no graphic content, making it appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated Yu the Great 7C
Yu the Great is written at a Level 2 reading level across 48 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Yu the Great works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Yu the Great as 7C ("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, Yu the Great explores folklore, adventure, fantasy world-building, historical, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about folklore, adventure, fantasy world-building.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780822587941
- Pages
- 48
- Publisher
- Graphic Universe ™
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction