Dandelion Wine cover

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Upper Grades (UG 9-12)
Book Level 6.0
Points 10.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Fiction
Word Count 64709
Points per Word 0.000155
Page Count 328
Points per Page 0.030488

Description

The summer of 1928 was a vintage summer for a growing boy. A summer of green apple trees, mowed lawns, and new sneakers. It was a magical, timeless summer in the life of a twelve-year-old boy named Douglas Spaulding.

Quick Summary

Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine feels like stepping into a sun-drenched 1928 summer where every blade of grass and every fresh-cut lawn holds a secret. If you're the type who loves stories about kids building forts, racing bikes, and discovering the magic in everyday moments, this novel will wrap you in the same warm nostalgia as a homemade glass of fizzy dandelion wine. It's full of gentle humor and a few thrilling chills think midnight adventures to an abandoned house or a mysterious carnival that appears out of nowhere without ever crossing into anything too scary. The heart of the story follows twelve-year-old Douglas Spaulding and his friends as they navigate the small joys and quiet heartbreaks of growing up, from inventing new games to learning about loss and friendship, all while the town smells of mowed grass and ripe apples. Readers who enjoy the adventurous spirit and coming-of-age vibes of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer will find a lot to love here, especially the way Bradbury turns ordinary summer days into something unforgettable. It's a perfect pick for a family read-aloud or for teens looking for a lyrical, feel-good book that celebrates the wonder of being young.