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Benedict Arnold and the American Revolution

King, David C.

Cover of Benedict Arnold and the American Revolution

Benedict Arnold and the American Revolution

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by King, David C.

Notorious Americans

Reading Level 8-9 12LN Ages 9-12 Sweet Spot

The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

Discover the complex story of a gifted military leader whose choices changed the course of American history. This tale explores the rise and fall of a man torn between loyalty and betrayal during the Revolutionary War. Readers will uncover the challenges and decisions that made him a legendary yet controversial figure.

Themes

BiographyHistoricalComing of AgeWar & Conflict

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 8-9 book with mild content intensity. It's a Sweet Spot read — challenging text with gentle themes, ideal for advanced or 2e readers. Content themes include historical conflict, betrayal. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Benedict Arnold and the American Revolution 12LN

Benedict Arnold and the American Revolution is written at a Level 8-9 reading level across 84 pages (approximately 12,219 words). Strong independent readers around grade 9.3 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Benedict Arnold and the American Revolution works for readers up to grade 10.3.

Read aloud, Benedict Arnold and the American Revolution runs about 1.4 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Benedict Arnold and the American Revolution as 12LN ("Light — Neutral") 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Historical Conflict, Betrayal.

Thematically, Benedict Arnold and the American Revolution explores biography, historical, coming of age, and war & conflict — 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.
  • Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
  • Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
  • Kids drawn to stories about biography, historical, coming of age.
  • Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.

For Parents

Content Intensity

12LN — Light — Neutral
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Light
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Content Flags

Historical Conflict Betrayal
Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

6/10

Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.

Discussion Potential

4/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
7
Emotional Weight
4
Narrative Pace
7
Theme Richness
6
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
8

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Details

Book Length

84 pages
12,219 words
1h 21m read-aloud
ISBN
1567112218
Pages
84
Publisher
Blackbirch Press, Incorporated
Published
1999
Type
Nonfiction
Word Count
12,219
Read-Aloud
~1h 21m
Text Density
Light Text

Genres

Subjects

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801United States. Continental ArmyAmerican LoyalistsUnited StatesGeneralsRevolution, 1775-1783