Attack of the Black Rectangles
A. S. King
Attack of the Black Rectangles
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by A. S. King
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
What happens when the words in your favorite book start disappearing? Mac and his friends find some pages blacked out in their classroom copy of THE DEVIL'S ARITHMETIC, and it's not just a mistake. Can they stand up against the mysterious Ms. Laura Samuel Sett and fight for the truth before it's lost forever?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of censorship, intolerance, and standing up for what's right, following Mac and his classmates as they challenge their teacher's decision to black out parts of a beloved book. The story touches on complex social issues such as mental illness, abusive parenting, and abandonment, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12 who are ready to engage with serious topics. Parents should be aware of mature themes including gaslighting, mental health struggles, and discussions of religion.
Why we rated Attack of the Black Rectangles 11IE
Attack of the Black Rectangles is written at a Level 6 reading level across 272 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Attack of the Black Rectangles works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Attack of the Black Rectangles as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Abandonment, Abusive Parents, Gaslighting, Mental Illness, Religion, Censorship.
Thematically, Attack of the Black Rectangles explores school & education, social justice, friendship, family, 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 school & education, social justice, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
- 9781338680522
- Pages
- 272
- Publisher
- Scholastic Press
- Published
- 2022
- Type
- Fiction