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Battle Hymn

B. Clay Moore

Cover of Battle Hymn

Battle Hymn

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Farewell To The Golden Age

by B. Clay Moore

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 13+ Matched

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

What if the world’s greatest heroes were just getting started when the biggest war in history was ending? Imagine a secret team of super-powered beings, each with their own strange gifts and mysterious pasts, brought together to fight in a war like no other. But what if their real mission was hidden beneath the surface, and the fate of the future was at stake?

Themes

FantasyGraphic NovelsSuperheroesAmerican Historical FictionAdventure

Quick Assessment

Set in 1944 during the final days of World War II, this graphic novel combines historical fiction with fantasy elements involving super-powered characters. It explores themes of patriotism, identity, and the moral complexities of war, suitable for teens due to some graphic content and mature themes. Parents should note the presence of stylized violence and intense moments typical of superhero narratives.

Why we rated Battle Hymn 9ME

Battle Hymn is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 152 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Battle Hymn works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Battle Hymn as 9ME ("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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Graphic Violence.

Thematically, Battle Hymn explores fantasy, graphic novels, superheroes, american historical fiction, 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 fantasy, graphic novels, superheroes.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
  • ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Moderate
Social
Light
Thematic
Moderate

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Content Flags

Graphic Violence
Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

2/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
6
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

152 pages
ISBN
9781582405650
Pages
152
Publisher
Image Comics
Published
February 8, 2006
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

FantasyGraphic NovelsSuperheroesAmerican Historical FictionComics & Graphic NovelsHistoricalScience Fiction Comic Books, Strips, EtcYoung Adult FictionComics & Graphic Novels, GeneralHeroesComic Books, StripsWorld War, 1939-1945