Brigham Young and the Expanding American Frontier
Newell G. Bringhurst
Brigham Young and the Expanding American Frontier
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Newell G. Bringhurst
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What does it take to lead thousands into unknown lands? Imagine facing towering mountains and endless deserts while guiding a new community toward hope and home. Could one person’s courage shape the future of an entire frontier?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult biography explores the life of Brigham Young, a pivotal leader in the Latter Day Saint movement who helped lead settlers westward to Utah. Suitable for readers aged 13-18, it provides historical context about the American frontier and Mormon pioneer history. Parents should note the book’s focus on religious leadership and westward expansion, presented in an accessible, fictionalized format.
Why we rated Brigham Young and the Expanding American Frontier 11LT
Brigham Young and the Expanding American Frontier is written at a Level 6 reading level across 246 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Brigham Young and the Expanding American Frontier works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Brigham Young and the Expanding American Frontier as 11LT ("Light — Thematic") 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, Brigham Young and the Expanding American Frontier explores biography, historical, religion, adventure, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about biography, historical, religion.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LT — Light — ThematicLight 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781886746282
- Pages
- 246
- Publisher
- Talman Company
- Published
- October 1995
- Type
- Nonfiction