Black Jack
Frederick Faust
Black Jack
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Frederick Faust
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
There’s a secret shadowing Black Jack — his father’s past is darker than anyone imagines. As the truth creeps closer, Jack must face dangers that could change everything. But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Black Jack is a historical adventure novel suitable for middle-grade readers, exploring themes of family legacy and personal courage. The story involves a young man grappling with his father's criminal past, offering opportunities to discuss morality and identity. Content is appropriate for ages 9-12, with mild tension related to action and family challenges.
Why we rated Black Jack 11LE
Black Jack is written at a Level 6 reading level across 250 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Black Jack works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Black Jack as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Black Jack explores adventure, historical, family, action & adventure, and classics — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, historical, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0396061893
- Pages
- 250
- Publisher
- Dodd Mead
- Published
- 1970
- Type
- Fiction