Blindness
Henry Green
Blindness
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Henry Green
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
The sharp crack of shattering glass fills the air as a rock crashes through the train window. Suddenly, John’s world goes dark, and he must navigate the confusing new silence and shadows of blindness. How will he find hope and strength when everything familiar has vanished?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows John Haye, a young boy who loses his sight after a sudden accident. The story explores his emotional journey as he adjusts to blindness and confronts societal expectations, including pressure from his stepmother about his future. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book sensitively addresses themes of disability and resilience.
Why we rated Blindness 11ME
Blindness is written at a Level 6 reading level across 207 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Blindness works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Blindness as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — 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 mild intensity score.
Thematically, Blindness explores disability representation, coming of age, and family — 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 disability representation, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 0670174289
- Pages
- 207
- Publisher
- Viking Adult
- Published
- 1978
- Type
- Fiction