Breaking The Chains

William Loren Katz

Cover of Breaking The Chains

Breaking The Chains

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

African-American Slave Resistance

by William Loren Katz

Reading Level 6 11ME Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

The crackling of fire and the whisper of footsteps fill the night as brave souls risk everything to escape the chains of slavery. Feel the grit of the earth beneath their feet and the pounding of hope in their hearts. Their fight for freedom is a powerful story of courage that echoes through time.

Themes

Quick Assessment

Breaking The Chains offers a detailed exploration of the various ways enslaved people resisted captivity, using primary sources to present historical accounts suitable for middle-grade readers. It provides a thoughtful and age-appropriate look at the struggle for freedom in 19th-century America, emphasizing personal bravery and collective action. Parents should be aware of the mature themes of slavery and resistance, presented in a factual and respectful manner.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Moderate
Social
Moderate
Thematic
Light

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

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

5/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
9
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

208 pages
ISBN
9780689819193
Pages
208
Publisher
Simon Pulse
Published
January 1, 1998
Type
Nonfiction

Genres

Subjects

United StatesUnited States/19th CenturySlaveryEthnicAfrican AmericanInsurrections, EtcAfrican American ParticipationAfrican AmericansAfro-AmericansInsurrectionsParticipation, Afro-AmericanSlave InsurrectionsUnited States Civil War, 1861-1865Military ParticipationSlavery, United StatesSlave Rebellions, United StatesUnited States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865, African AmericansConfederate States of America, HistoryConfederate States of AmericaUnited States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865African Americans, Southern States

Places

Southern StatesUnited States