Broken days
Ann Rinaldi
Broken days
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ann Rinaldi
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
Ebie Chelmsford will do anything to keep her place in her family—even if it means calling her cousin a fake! But when secrets and jealousy start to unravel, the whole family feels the strain. Can they mend the broken threads before everything falls apart?
Quick Assessment
Set during the War of 1812, this historical fiction explores family dynamics, identity, and belonging through the story of a young girl navigating complex relationships in Salem. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it thoughtfully addresses themes of family conflict and cultural heritage without graphic content.
Why we rated Broken days 11LE
Broken days is written at a Level 6 reading level across 273 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Broken days works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Broken days 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, Broken days explores family, historical, multicultural, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, historical, multicultural.
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
1/10A 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
- 9780590460538
- Pages
- 273
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- 1995
- Type
- Fiction