Arrest Sitting Bull
Jones, Douglas C.
Arrest Sitting Bull
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jones, Douglas C.
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The Ghost Dance is swirling all around the Teton Sioux camps. Sitting Bull, old and wise, stands strong as the braves move wildly, desperate to protect their land. But when the soldiers arrive, will peace hold—or will everything change forever?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in 1890, this historical fiction explores the tensions surrounding Sitting Bull and the Ghost Dance movement among the Teton Sioux. It portrays the cultural struggle and conflict between Native Americans and white settlers during this period, suitable for middle-grade readers. The book contains themes of cultural resistance and historical conflict, with some scenes of tension and fear related to impending violence.
Why we rated Arrest Sitting Bull 12ME
Arrest Sitting Bull is written at a Level 8 reading level across 506 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Arrest Sitting Bull works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Arrest Sitting Bull as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Arrest Sitting Bull explores historical, native american culture, conflict, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, native american culture, conflict.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0816165556
- Pages
- 506
- Publisher
- Macmillan Reference USA
- Published
- 1978
- Type
- Fiction