Across America
Jacqueline Morley
Across America
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Story of Lewis and Clark
by Jacqueline Morley
Illustrated by David Antram
The text is written at a 2nd 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 you could travel across a vast, unknown land with only a small team and a handful of tools? Imagine facing wild rivers, towering mountains, and strange creatures as you map a new world. Could you overcome the challenges and discover the secrets hidden across America?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book explores the historic Lewis and Clark Expedition, presenting the journey as both an adventurous exploration and a scientific endeavor. Suitable for readers aged 13 to 18, it combines history with nature and introduces technological challenges faced during the expedition. Parents should note it is a fictionalized account aimed at engaging young adults with nonfiction themes.
Why we rated Across America 7LP
Across America is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Across America works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Across America as 7LP ("Light — Physical") 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, Across America explores history - exploration & discovery, science & nature, and adventure — 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 history - exploration & discovery, science & nature, adventure.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780531153420
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Franklin Watts
- Published
- March 1999
- Type
- Nonfiction