A ballad of the Civil War
Jean Little
A ballad of the Civil War
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jean Little
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Weary of the war, a Union lieutenant recalls his life with his twin brother on their family's Virginia plantation and the events that led them to fight on different sides in the Civil War.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 3 book. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 5-8.
Why we rated A ballad of the Civil War Level 0
A ballad of the Civil War is written at a Level 3 reading level across 54 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A ballad of the Civil War works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate A ballad of the Civil War as Unrated because the content sits in the "Unrated" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the unrated intensity score.
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.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
Level 0 — UnratedThis book has not yet been rated for content intensity.
Was our "Unrated" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0060273623
- Pages
- 54
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Published
- 1997
- Type
- Fiction